First Impressions of a Buck Mark

[Iain K D]

I bought one of these a couple of weeks ago, but have only now had the opportunity to take it down to the club to actually try it out.

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...20Mark/001.jpg

The overall handling of it was very pleasant, in spite of having ambidextrous grips there is enough shaping to them to feel comfortable in the hand. The automatic safety catch was slightly annoying at times – yes, I did come up on aim and try to fire with it still on – but shooting right-handed, and one-handed, it was fairly easy to reach with the thumb without changing grip too much. The trigger isn’t brilliant but isn’t too bad – it has already had a very light polish and a smear of Moly-GN paste, which helped.

One point I don’t like is that the breech isn’t accessible with the barrel broken just slightly (as in, all it will open without starting to cock). I think there are advantages in being able to break open the barrel, load a pellet, and then cock and close the gun in one quick movement – that is not possible. Being able to access the barrel easily is also nice – bear in mind the manual shows the barrel being cleaned with it wide open.

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...20Mark/004.jpg

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...20Mark/005.jpg

Shooting it – this was at standard 10m target cards – once I had the gun zeroed (ahem) I seemed to be getting pretty much all my shots in the black; actually, mostly in the left hand side of the black. I’d used all the windage adjustment to get just to that point, which didn’t seem quite right. There is a fair amount of play in the barrel pivot (this is only obvious once the gun has been cocked) but that in itself can’t be the issue or the gun would presumably be spraying all over the place? I also tried removing and refitting the entire weaver rail assembly, but there are lugs underneath to ensure it does only sit in the one definite spot, and no play evident.

On the other hand, elevation adjustment wasn’t an issue, and while a deeper rearsight notch would be nice to improve the sight picture – to my eyes, anyway – I’ll probably persevere with them as is for now rather than be in a hurry to bolt on a red-dot sight. I haven’t anything to fit, but did get a zip-up case that takes the gun just nicely.

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...20Mark/002.jpg

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...20Mark/003.jpg

Iain

Postscript - the obvious comparison to make?

[TonyL]

Thanks for this.

Very interesting and concise write-up.

Can the foresight be drifted at all for extra windage adjustment?

I've heard that they're really mild mannered and low recoil?

[Iain K D]

No adjustment on the foresight blade - it's moulded as part of the barrel outer casing. Thinning it slightly - taking material off one side - would work, if I think the sight picture will still be acceptable.

More pictures of the construction here (mines now partly stripped, so I'll get my own pictures)

http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537...ol+Tune-Review

There is then, altogether, an alloy barrel block into which the steel barrel slides (loosely), covered and held in place by a plastic outer casing, so certainly scope for things not quite being centred throwing shots off to one side?

Very low powered so yes, very mild to shoot - easy to cock and little recoil, in spite of the low weight. Trigger mechanism is very simple and gives a rather abrupt let-off, but is not trigger-finger painful heavy.

Iain

[TonyL]

So, room for improvement, yes.
But it looks a nice, easy little thing to work on and it's bleddy cheap!
You often hear of some unforgivable faults on some much more expensive guns, so a little home-fettling to get this one a little better isn't a big deal.

And it's a pleasant and inexpensive, basic little pistol that puts the FUN into shooting!

Have fun fettling and plinking!

[peteswright]

Had mine a good few months now and can't seem to wear it out. I didn't think it would take much hammer (daily use) at the price (£60) but its not missed a beat and I haven't had any probs with the sights. Not done anything with trigger, just got used to it, and on a good day get good groups. I generally start practice sessions on this gun, thinking if I can get a good trigger pull on the Buckmark I'll be ok with other guns! I like it. ATB. Pete.

[Rob M]

Where's it made? I'm guessing China?