Browning Buckmark magazine question

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I bought a used Buckmark for $189 a few months ago. It came with only one magazine, so I bought a second one.

The "original" mag, when properly seated, barely protrudes past the lowest point on the grip.

The new-in-box Browning-branded extra mag, when seated, is actually recessed in the grip. Side by side, it looks like the floor plate (if you can call it that) is a little shorter.

That means you need to insert it into the magazine well, then press it in the rest of the way with your finger. And I just hate that.

What's the deal here? What can I do about it?

(Other than that, what a great little pistol!)
 
Matt, you bought a new 'old' production magazine. I don't know when the change was made but all current production magazines are the type that protrudes just a little bit, and they are much more convenient. The mag you bought for a spare had been on the shelf at least 3 or 4 years.....
 
I use the old small base mags along with the new ones. I'm too cheap to let it sit and not use it.

The mag box opens easily without damage, you can put an eye on the next one before purchasing it.
 
If it functions OK, keep it.

Why not just cut and glue a rubber or leather base pad onto it like some people do to 1911 magazines?

The pad on the base will make it easier to seat, ease the wear and tear on your hands and also protect it better if dropped.
 
Are these bases removable? If so, you could call Browning, tell them of your disappointment, and ask for another baseplate. I would hope that, in the interest of maintaining a good relationship with you, they would just send you a new one for nothing (what could it cost? $1?). Don't tell them that you bought the gun second hand. They don't need to know. I had a Buckmark quite a while ago. Kind of sorry I got rid of it, but the screws that held the rear sight in would loosen during firing. Irritated the crap out of me. Seems to me that both of the mags I had for it were like you described (they did not protrude from the grip). This didn't bother me much, but it sure made quick changes difficult.
 
Here's a better question:

Now that the AWB is over, will Browning make any buckmark magazines that can hold more than 10 rds? I imagine you could probably get 17-20 rds in a full cap mag....
 
Now that the AWB is over, will Browning make any buckmark magazines that can hold more than 10 rds?

Stock magazines? Doubtful. Browning has been producing Buckmarks years before the AWB with 10 round mags. To get more than ten rounds in the mag, the mag will have to be longer or the gun will have to be re-engineered to accept a wider higher capacity mag (which I don't think rimmed cartridges will feed through very well in staggered placement). There are aftermarket manufacturers that do make higher capacity (greater than 10 rounds) that are flush with the receiver (using smaller follower) but not 17-20 rounds.
 
Browning Challenger and early Buckmark mags hold 12rds. I have 2. :) They work fine in my later model Buckmark Micro Plus. Marcus
 
S&W2206 mags also held 12. Ruger Mk.1 mags held 13, if I recall correctly. I doubt that we will see OEM magazines over 10 but aftermarket is another matter.
 
I stand corrected...but still don't think Browning will make mags in the 17-20 round range for the current Buckmarks.
 
.22 Long Rifle magazines with capacities exceeding the 14-15 round range exceed the cababilities of a straight stick magazine. To produce a magazine that would feed reliably one needs to initiate a curve it order to accomidate the cartridge rims. For it's size the .22 rimfire cartridges have a disproportionately large rim.

The straight magazines such as those used in Colt, Browning, Ruger, High Standard and other 10-12 shot .22 pistols all utilize a follower that is able to tilt or pivot as it is pressed lower in the body by rimmed ammunition. When you get into the higher capacties you exceed the ability of the follower to move inside the magazine tube and still ensure reliable feeding.
 
It's good to have you back, BluesBear. You're a walking (well, maybe hobbling) encyclopedia of gun knowledge.

I think I'm gonna glue something to the bottom of the mag.

What sort of glue would I use?
 
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