As I get older, I have to face the fact that my eyesight — never good, now terrible — is at this stage of my life, totally shit. What that means is if I want to continue to enjoy shooting, I shall have to change how I shoot, to whit: no more iron sights (sob) and instead, resort to one of these so-called “red dot” things, such as seen on this little cutie at Collectors:
Here’s the thing. I have always thought that Browning prices their products just a leetle too high, asking a premium that is not really justified… except for their Buckmark .22 pistols, which are not only astoundingly accurate, but have, easily, the best trigger of any .22 pistol — and perhaps the best trigger of any handgun, period. Is that worth a premium price? You’d better believe it.
So at well over $800 for the above — that’s the gun, the Vortex red dot and Collector’s premium, this would take a big gulp and a re-ordering of a few of life’s other offerings (e.g. food) to get this one into Ye Olde Musket Cabinette.
Other than the red dot thing — which looks like a carbuncle on a pretty girl’s face, but which I have most reluctantly accepted as a necessity — everything about this gun is beautiful: the rosewood grips, the heavy brushed-stainless steel barrel, just the look of the thing, all cry out: “Kim, I need a new home!”
And if I had the cash, it would be mine. I’ve owned several Buck Marks in my time — all either given away or sold because poverty — and I miss them badly. As it is, I’m going to have to sell one of the other guns in my safe to get this one.
I mean it.
Oooh, Kim. I lurves my Buckmark Hunter. Oof. That damned thing will shoot the ass off a gnat at 25 yards without me hardly trying. I’ve fed it garbage ammo, I’ve fed it good stuff (CCI Minimag) and the little pistol just keeps coming back and asking for more. The only accuracy thing I’ve noticed is it prints a bit low when I use CCI Poly coated fodder. If my fading memory serves, mine was in the neighborhood of $500. Mine does not have those purty rosewood grips. But mine is also not encumbered by any foul red dot sighing device. For my eyes, for now, the fiber on the front post does me just fine.
– Brad
We have a saying around here: “Red dot don’t lie.”, and it has nothing to do with age. It has everything to do with getting on target as fast as possible and even faster with the 2nd shot. The red dot is a game changer in that regard. Rather than lining up 3 things, rear sight, front sight, target, you just put the dot on the thing and boom.
The Vortex Crossfire red dot is the wrong red dot for a pistol. It is an entry level red dot for a light rifle. A better Vortex red dot for the Buckmark would be Vortex’s Venom or Defender.
I started switching over to red dots when the eyes started giving me problems. Some guns work well with red dots and some do not. I tried 3 red dots on my 10mm before I found one that could take the force of the 10mm action. That same red dot does not work with the Glock G45 9mm. I haven’t found anything that will hold zero after a magazine. The G45 will soon be traded for one of the Turkish Hi-power clones with an RMR cut. I am also thinking about getting an RMR cut slide for the Colt 1911. That pistol runs too smooth to give it up.
Agree 100%. Wrong red dot. That seems to me circa 2005 or so. Today the micro red dots really are not that bad on looks. I would stay away if I could from the Chinese stuff (on political grounds) but there is a pretty wide assortment.
Both comments duly noted.
Rumors amd Gossip:
* Apparently, some eyes work with green dots.
* Apparently, some eyes work with a circle.
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With crippling arthritis in my hands and wrists, my only traditional pistol is my Kimber Classic 1911 (built in Oregon the first week of production), kept for helping old dogs over the rainbow bridge and other sentiments.
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I am very happy with my.300bo AR pistols.
A Buckmark or a Ruger Mk series is a must for any collection. I bought a Ruger Mk II Government Target model with the 6-7/8″ bull barrel years ago and inherited a couple more Rugers with and without red dot sights on them. At least one is in my range bag on each trip.
JQ