J.B. Wood - Gun Digest Buck Mark Assembly/Disassembly Instructions

Introduced in 1985, the Buck Mark replaced the earlier Belgian-made Browning 22 pistols, the Nomad, Challenger, and Medalist. Technically, there were few changes, and the instructions can generally be used for these as well. The Buck Mark is also offered in Silhouette, Varmint, and Buck Mark Plus versions. On the Varmint and Silhouette, initial takedown requires removal of the top rear screw and the barrel retaining screw. Otherwise, there are no differences that affect takedown and reassembly.

Field-stripping of the Buck Mark requires removal of external screws, so be sure the screwdriver blades used fit the slots perfectly, to avoid any marring. Remove the large screws at the front and rear of the sight base. Inside the base, the screws are secured by lock washers, and both may be very tight. Take care to prevent slipping of the screwdriver.

After removal of the screws, lift off the sight base. Take care that the two lock washers are not lost.

Retract the slide slightly and grasp the recoil spring guide at the front, lifting it upward. The spring is a captive unit on the rod. Removal of the C-clip at the rear will allow the spring and rod to be separated.CAUTION:The spring is under tension, so control it.

Lift the slide off the top of the frame.

#x00A0;The firing pin is retained in the slide by a transverse roll pin. Use a roll pin punch to drift it out, and remove the firing pin and its spring upward.

Use a very small screwdriver to depress the extractor plunger rearward, and tip the extractor out toward the front for removal.CAUTION:Control the compressed plunger and spring, and ease them out toward the front for removal.

The barrel is retained by a large screw at the front of the frame.

Backing out the screw will allow the barrel to be taken off upward.Gun is now field-stripped.

Browning Buck Mark field-stripped

The slide buffer will probably remain on the frame post when the slide is removed. It can be gently pried away from the post with a sharp tool.

The factory instruction booklet contains a caution about removing the grips, noting that they contain and position certain parts. For the non-gunsmith, this is good advice. In complete takedown, the grip panels should be removed one at a time. Take the right grip off first, and lift off the magazine catch spring.

Remove the magazine catch toward the right.

Remove the trigger bar toward the right.

Remove the trigger bar spring from its recess on the right side.

Remove the left grip, and lift off the slide-latch.

With the hammer in cocked position, insert a small tool such as a screwdriver or a pointed drift in the access hole near the upper curve of the frame backstrip, to catch and restrain the hammer spring plunger.

Gently pry the safety click plate outward, off the ends of the two pins. Remove the plate outward.

Push the sear forward, and turn the hammer up to its fired position. Push the hammer pivot pin out toward the left. If necessary, the slide latch spring can be detached from its groove in the end of the hammer pivot pin.

Remove the hammer upward. The hammer strut can be separated from the hammer by driving out the cross-pin, but in normal takedown it is best left in place.