REVIEWS
Browning Buck Mark UDX
Punching paper with Browning's elegantly reconfigured but still classic rimfire pistol
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I have been addicted to Browning rimfire pistols since the time I practically gave life and limb for a Medalist with all the trimmings. Complete with fancy wood grips, a dry-firing system and a wood fore-end, it remained in my battery until I had the desire for a more versatile semiautomatic for bullseye shooting.
Since the Buck Mark was introduced in 1985, I have seen the line change from a minor entry in the catalog to well over 20 different variations (not including the popular Buck Mark rifle in both sporter and target versions, which brings the total up to about two dozen).
If you are looking for a well-thought-out rimfire pistol, the variations range from mild to wild in barrels, frame configurations and even a model called "Splash" that has a gold spider-webbing pattern etched on the barrel and frame. Guns with Weaver mounts for scopes, stainless barrels and a wide variety of grips are offered to fit nearly every shooter's whim or requirement.
The latest Buck Mark to grab my attention is the UDX series of three guns that have a redesigned grip frame. Instead of the frame running straight down the rear, it now has more of a curve to it that is very similar to an arched frame on larger-caliber guns.
I have always been a proponent of this type of styling; it helps to keep my shots higher and more true to the mark. Another important part of this redesign is the addition of finger grooves cast right in the frame and new grip panels made from rosewood, walnut or black laminate. Complete with rakish stippling patterns that are broken up by horizontal ribbons and a laser-engraved Browning logo, they are certainly the best improvement to this gun in a long time.
Picking up the Buck Mark, one soon finds out fast that it's a natural pointer and comfortable to operate. On the left side, you'll find the slide lock (release) located behind, up and to the rear of the trigger. With the slide open, drop this lever down and the slide bolts forward. The safety is directly behind this release and is positioned perfectly within easy reach of the ball of the thumb. Up for Safe, down for Fire--it just can't get better than this. By the way, I found both of these levers positioned in such a manner that I did not have to rotate the pistol to the left to use them.
Right behind the trigger is the .45 auto-style magazine release. It is checkered for non-slip qualities, and pushing inward sends the magazine (with the help of a spring plunger) out of the well without a nanosecond of hesitation. For the combat buffs out there, no, the magwell is not beveled, but this gun is not made for that type of shooting.
For the safety-minded, the gun will not fire with the magazine out of the gun, nor will the slide stay back with it removed. To lock back the slide with the magazine out, it's just a simple matter of pushing up on the slide lock to hold the slide in its rearmost position.
The trigger is gold plated and could be considered "target" width. With my trigger gauge, it broke with just a hint of slack at 4 1/2 pounds. The Pro-Target rear sight assembly is fully adjustable for windage and elevation. Then there's the Truglo fiber-optic front sight that works in concert with the well-defined and serrated rear.
The target-style barrel is slab-sided and well within the dimensions of what could be called a bull barrel. It has a target crown, and the top is bead blasted to a matte finish to keep the sun's glare from ruining a good sight picture. Overall, the gun is well made and ranks high on my list for appearance. The flanks of the barrel are polished bright, while most of the remainder of the gun sports a matte blue finish.
At the range, the gun proved its potential. With a variety of ammunition, the Buck Mark was a pleasure to shoot right out of the box--and accurate to boot. Charging the gun was easy, thanks to raised side panels at the rear of the slide.
I was impressed with this new addition to the line. It's a joy to use, breaks down easy for maintenance and has a fun factor of 10.
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