Just checking

[geo01]

I'm thinking of branching out and trying Small Bore and have thought about getting hold of a semi to shoot. The look of the target version of the Browning Buckmark has caught my eye and the reports that I've read seem to say that it is a capable beginners handgun for silhouette. My problem is that it only comes with a short barrel these days.

In my copy of the IHMSA Rule book in Section VI, paragraph 6 says: "Except as otherwise allowed by the rules, only internal and external parts that are a manufacture's standard catalog items for the particular model of handgun may be used for repair or replacement." Can someone verify if this means only parts supplied by Browning may be used or can I re-barrel with an aftermarket one and still stay Production Class legal?

Also, I'm after the names of companies that provide aftermarket parts for the Buckmarks.

Geo

[RockinHRacin]

I would think that if you could find a Browning made replacement barrel (contact Browning?), you should be able to shoot that as Production. I know there are a few aftermarket barrels that are allowed for the T/C but I don't think that exemption has been opened up for everyone.

I don't pretend to know all of the answers so talk with your Match Director. If he/she deems it legal, you are good to go. I'm sure others here will post with their opinions as well. I'm sure we'll come to some sort of consensus, but the MD is the one that needs to allow it.

[BurmKiller]

I agree - talk to your Match Director and you may be able to shoot it at the local matches with no problems. Shooting it at a Regional or Internationals may be a different story. If the particular pistol you end up with was ever sold with a longer barrel and you can find the exact replacement then maybe...? The T/C thing opened an ugly door... It basically amounted to "T/C used to have a longer barrel, doesn't anymore, so you can use a third party barrel at a longer length" which somehow came to mean "Oh, you can use ANY third party barrel even if T/C never even imagined it, more or less made it." Honestly, I am fine either way with the rule as long as we are all playing by the same rule. Thus far, the interpretation of this section of the rulebook has not been as liberal regarding other pistols.

[highstandard40]

Browning made a 10" sihouette model at one time. Check with Browning to see if this barrel is available as a part. You should then be good to go.

[Smokin7mm]

I agree with highstandard40. Browning made a 10" silhouette model, I know I have one of the IHMSA engraved one I picked up a few year ago. I believe you can swap out these browning made barrels if you can find one. I just checked and on the browning site they list a barrel for the silhouette/varmint at a little over 85.00. Check with them and if you can get the barrel/sights from them I would say it would be legal. Not sure how the ruling would be on an aftermarket seeings they dont offer the model as a whole gun anymore but do seem to list the parts.
Bret

[KnifeHandler]

Hey Bret,
What would make that any different than ordering a 10" barrel from TC? They don't sell the gun any more, but you can order the barrel from the custom shop. Just a thought.

[Smokin7mm]

Hi Val,
I think the difference is that TC does not make a Production 10" barrel anymore, only 12" & 14" for the contender. The custom shop is allowed and is considered aftermarket per say, as are the other aftermarket barrels due to them not offering the 10" barrel on a production gun. The browning 10" silhouette barrel is offered off of their parts list and in my opinion would be considered just a factory replacement.. Just my two cents. Plus from their website it lists at $86.25 which is a pretty good price.
Bret

[BurmKiller]

I have no experience with the Brownings, so this is more a general comment... If your particular pistol (exact model) was available with the longer barrel, I would honestly not see anyone having any issue with the replacement. If, however, your model is say slightly different (ie, different between a Ruger Mark II and III) than even if the barrel fits perfectly, it would not be allowed in production. With the T/C's, Thompson DID offer a 10" in the past and just no longer does, so the rule interpretation has been that a 10" aftermarket is a replacement for the former factory barrel. Someone far wiser than I will have to explain how that got to mean "Anything that can be imagined and produced is allowed" Not that it really matters, as long we we are all playing by the same rules.

[geo01]

Hey Bret,
What would make that any different than ordering a 10" barrel from TC? They don't sell the gun any more, but you can order the barrel from the custom shop. Just a thought.

That's pretty much my question right there. Why does the rule book have an allowance for one brand of handgun only. If the part is a factory made, catalog item and not a custom made "one off" why can't it be used on any brand of gun? My other question is by "manufacturer" do they mean the company that made the handgun or any manufacturer because my interpretation is that it would mean any manufacturer?

By the comments and replys I get the feeling that this is a question that has been asked many times before.

Lastly, does anyone have any comments on the Buckmark itself? The range that I shoot at is only a local range and they only shoot Small Bore standing so I can make do with the standard model, but it would be nice to convert it to the way they looked when they first were used for silhouett. Oh, and there is not much chance of me ever competing in anything more than a local match, I just do it for the laughs and to hang out with a couple of mates on the weekends.

Geo

[RockinHRacin]

I own a Buckmark and like it as a little plinker. I have shorter barrel on it (don't recall the exact length) and I'm don't really like the sight system on it, but that is due to my personal preferences in sight picture. I have shot it in matches and done alright with it. With the right ammo, it's a real shooter.

All in all, I have a lot of fun with it and it's probably my kids second favorite gun to shoot (my Charger is #1).