Buck Mark vs. Ruger.
- Thread starter Skysailor
- Start date
Im partial to the MKII as I have had mine for 25 years and have tens of thousands of rounds through it. I have only recently had to replace a single spring and it continues to be one of my favourite and most reliable pistols. That being said I know a few guys with the buck mark and I think you would be happy with either.
I just picked up a 22/45 mkiii about a month ago for $379.99 new. I quite like it, I went with the 22/45 model as I already had a 1911 and enjoyed the grip style. But the one thing I need to get yet is a magloader cause my thumb sure hurts after 300 rounds.
I hear mixed reviews about the 22/45 but to be fair you hear mixed reviews on just about anything ever made. I have many Ruger Mark-2's and like them in just about in all their configurations. Most people complain about the complexity of taking them apart and putting them back together, however I don't find that to be a problem. I'm sure the Buck Mark is a decent gun but I'm partial to the to the Ruger Mark-2 and yet have no desire to own a Ruger Mark-3. Get a Mark-2 target model if you can, or enjoy whatever you get...as long as you can find ammo for it
it is probably 50/50 in terms of the opinions you'll get. I was waffling between them, and ultimately went for the Ruger Mark II target with the 6 7/8" tapered barrel over a browning contour. Don't know if it is true, but from what I read or heard from owners, the Mark II target is apparently a standout in the Ruger line, and I preferred the weight and look of the full stainless to the alloy. Of course now that I bought it i am bias...
but anyway bottom line they are both good guns and you can go wrong with either. it really boil down to personal preference / how they feel and look to you.
but anyway bottom line they are both good guns and you can go wrong with either. it really boil down to personal preference / how they feel and look to you.
I like the Ruger ( I have the Mk2 with 6 7/8" slab side bbl), but not the 22/45 so much.. Only shot a Buck Mark once years ago, but it was nice too. There are many accessories available for the Ruger (barrels, triggers, grips, etc..) and I have seen nothing for the Buck Mark.. so that could be an issue if you want to 'jazz' it up a bit 
I think that really answers it. Both great choices. I have a ruger standard with a Clark barrel and some VQ guts that i absolutely love as well as an early buckmark that i wouldnt part with. You can see what i did when faced with the same choice.
The only thing I DON'T like about my Ruger MkIII Competion Target is the magazine disconnect. Not that is really matters, I could always fix that.
The loaded chamber indicator hasn't pissed me off yet, the gun has a decent trigger pull, handles well and shoots fine.
The loaded chamber indicator hasn't pissed me off yet, the gun has a decent trigger pull, handles well and shoots fine.
Got Juice?
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All 3 are great guns, high quality and built to last a lifetime.
Smith has the best trigger, then browning, then ruger
All 3 will punch single hole groups from a rest at 15yds
Ruger has a more natural grip angle, followed by the Smith and then Browning.
Sights are a tie between Smith and Buckmark, Ruger is 3rd.
Maintenance/cleaning: Smith, then Ruger, then Buckmark.
Balance: Smith/Buckmark/ Ruger 1/2/3 respectively.
Value per Dollar spent: Ruger 1st, Smith and Wesson 2nd, Buckmark 3rd. (of course once you throw the VQ Catalog to get the Ruger guts decent, the cost ratio changes)
Since I don't like to compromise, I own at least 2 (sometimes 3 ) examples of each.
Sometimes I will shoot one better than the other on a given day.
Smith has the best trigger, then browning, then ruger
All 3 will punch single hole groups from a rest at 15yds
Ruger has a more natural grip angle, followed by the Smith and then Browning.
Sights are a tie between Smith and Buckmark, Ruger is 3rd.
Maintenance/cleaning: Smith, then Ruger, then Buckmark.
Balance: Smith/Buckmark/ Ruger 1/2/3 respectively.
Value per Dollar spent: Ruger 1st, Smith and Wesson 2nd, Buckmark 3rd. (of course once you throw the VQ Catalog to get the Ruger guts decent, the cost ratio changes)
Since I don't like to compromise, I own at least 2 (sometimes 3 ) examples of each.
Sometimes I will shoot one better than the other on a given day.
I've got the Ruger 22/45's, Buckmarks, and S&W 41's in various flavors of each (just cause I love to tinker). Each one is more accurate than my old eyes, which is why I have a red dot mounted version of each one as well as iron sighted versions.
Overall, my favorite is the 22/45, but it took a lot of tinkering to get it there. Polished the bolt, volquartsen sear and extractor, polished the hammer,and installed the bushing to eliminate mag disconnect safety. Now it eats anything, crisp ~1.5lb trigger, and very accurate.
If you don't like to tinker, get the Buckmark. I didn't do anything to it other than the Heggis flip and remove the wire bail to eliminate the mag disconnect safety. Great ~2.5lb trigger, didn't like some ammo like Winchester 555, and very accurate.
The S&W Model 41 is just a joy to shoot. Great stock ~2lb trigger, very accurate. Easy to swap barrels so I can do 5", 7", iron sights, red dot, all in one range session. Easiest to field strip and clean.
Overall, my favorite is the 22/45, but it took a lot of tinkering to get it there. Polished the bolt, volquartsen sear and extractor, polished the hammer,and installed the bushing to eliminate mag disconnect safety. Now it eats anything, crisp ~1.5lb trigger, and very accurate.
If you don't like to tinker, get the Buckmark. I didn't do anything to it other than the Heggis flip and remove the wire bail to eliminate the mag disconnect safety. Great ~2.5lb trigger, didn't like some ammo like Winchester 555, and very accurate.
The S&W Model 41 is just a joy to shoot. Great stock ~2lb trigger, very accurate. Easy to swap barrels so I can do 5", 7", iron sights, red dot, all in one range session. Easiest to field strip and clean.
wayupnorth
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ive got both the ruger 22/45 and the buckmark and if i had to choose one id take the buckmark.
easier to clean (by a loooooooooooooong ways) and for some reason i can shoot a lot more accurate with it.
the buckmark also came with real nice grip and FO sites.
the ruger i had to add those on for almost an added $100 on top just to get to where the buckmark already was out of the box.
my good friend has a ruger from back in the early 90's and i do have to say the quality control and just overall gun is way better then anything being put out right now.
while i usually like to buy new when i purchase i think when i pick up a Hunter in the ruger im gonna try to flesh out a older one.
just an observation i made at the range over the years.
easier to clean (by a loooooooooooooong ways) and for some reason i can shoot a lot more accurate with it.
the buckmark also came with real nice grip and FO sites.
the ruger i had to add those on for almost an added $100 on top just to get to where the buckmark already was out of the box.
my good friend has a ruger from back in the early 90's and i do have to say the quality control and just overall gun is way better then anything being put out right now.
while i usually like to buy new when i purchase i think when i pick up a Hunter in the ruger im gonna try to flesh out a older one.
just an observation i made at the range over the years.
I was in the same boat a couple of years ago...Ruger or Buckmark. I got the Buckmark and have no regrets. Works well with all cheap bulk ammo so far...Win 222/333/555, Fed 525, and Remingons. I think they are both good choices. I still like to get a Ruger too.
Ruger without doubt!
1. More choices for accessories
2. Easy to sell
3. Mags are everywhere
4. 22/45 grip choices and angle
5. Parts everywhere if you need them
6. Trigger and disconnect mods are easy
7. Time proven design
8. Eats everything I stuff in it
9. Front sight upgrade was cheap and easy
10. So much more info and support with the Ruger
Bad thing is the takedown, you can buy the takedown part, practise, or just clean it every few years when needed as people tend to take these apart for cleaning when not needed, I used to, now don't.
1. More choices for accessories
2. Easy to sell
3. Mags are everywhere
4. 22/45 grip choices and angle
5. Parts everywhere if you need them
6. Trigger and disconnect mods are easy
7. Time proven design
8. Eats everything I stuff in it
9. Front sight upgrade was cheap and easy
10. So much more info and support with the Ruger
Bad thing is the takedown, you can buy the takedown part, practise, or just clean it every few years when needed as people tend to take these apart for cleaning when not needed, I used to, now don't.
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Got Juice?
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- Location
- Peoples Republik of Kanukkistan
Takedown takes practice... once mastered, you can do it easier and faster than a buckmark.
