Browning BUKE MARK RIFLE User Manual

QUALITY SINCE 1878

BUCK MARK RIFLE

OWNER’S MANUAL

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING
A BROWNING BUCK MARK RIFLE

The Buck Mark 22 Rifle is another in a long line of depend­able, high quality Browning rimfire rifles. Each Buck Mark
.22 caliber semi-automatic rifle uses a dependable blow-back
action design with a removable magazine. John M. Browning
invented his first semi-automatic pistol in 1894. Since then,
the Browning company has produced a variety of models
designed for the sportsman and competitive target shooter. In
every sense, the Buck Mark 22 Rifle is a true Browning. It
gives you the kind of shooting enjoyment you’ve come to
expect from the world’s most respected gun company.

WARNING: THIS RIFLE HAS A STRAIGHT BLOW-BACK
ACTION. THE SLIDE TRAVELS REARWARD UPON FIRING.
DO NOT PLACE ANY PART OF YOUR BODY IN THE PATH
OF THE MOVING SLIDE. SEE FIGURE 8 ON PAGE 12.
ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN SHOOTING
THIS OR ANY OTHER FIREARM.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIREARMS SAFETY.

As a gun owner, you accept a set of demanding responsibilities. How
seriously you take these responsibilities can be the difference between
life and death.

HANDLING OF ANY FIREARM. AT ALL TIMES HANDLE YOUR BUCK MARK 22
RIFLE AND ANY OTHER FIREARM WITH INTENSE RESPECT FOR ITS POWER
AND POTENTIAL DANGER. PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE CAUTIONS
AND PROPER HANDLING PROCEDURES OUTLINED IN THIS BOOKLET
BEFORE USING YOUR NEW FIREARM.

1.

ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF YOUR BUCK MARK 22 RIFLE POINTED IN

A SAFE DIRECTION.

intend to shoot. Be extremely alert and aware of all persons and
property within the range of your ammunition.

NEVER RELY TOTALLY ON YOUR FIREARM’S MECHANICAL "SAFETY"

2.

DEVICE.

mechanism for the trigger, sear, hammer and/or firing pin. Although
mechanical devices place your Buck Mark 22 rifle in a SAFER status,
no guarantee can be made that the gun will not fire even if the
“safety” is on the "on safe" position.

A "SAFETY" CAN SOMETIMES FAIL; IT CAN BE JARRED OR INADVERTENTLY
MANIPULATED INTO AN UNSAFE CONDITION.

merely aid safe gun handling and are no excuse for pointing your guns
muzzle in an unsafe direction. While it is a good idea to "test" your
guns mechanical “safeties” periodically for proper function,

TEST IT WHILE YOUR GUN IS LOADED OR POINTED IN AN UNSAFE
DIRECTION

mechanical “safety” devices — it starts there. Always treat this rifle
with the respect due a loaded, ready-to-fire firearm.

DO NOT CARRY YOUR BUCK MARK RIFLE WITH A ROUND IN THE

3.

CHAMBER.

not be chambered until immediately before your rifle is to be fired.

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR CARELESS OR ABUSIVE

Never point any firearm at anything you do not

The word “safety” describes a guns blocking or disengaging

LIKE ANY MECHANICAL DEVICE,

Mechanical “safeties”

NEVER

. Safe gun handling does not stop with your guns

For good safety practice, it is recommended that a round

2

4.

WHENEVER YOU HANDLE YOUR BUCK MARK 22 RIFLE, OR HAND IT TO

SOMEONE, MAKE SURE IT IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED

. To fully unload
your Buck Mark Rifle, you must first remove the magazine, open and
lock the slide rearward, and visually inspect the chamber to be certain
it does not contain a cartridge. It is vital that you remove the maga­zine from your rifle so a cartridge is not automatically chambered
when you close the action. Always keep the chamber empty and
“safety” in the “on safe” position unless shooting is imminent (see
page 7 & 11 for unloading procedures.)

DO NOT TRANSPORT YOUR BUCK MARK 22 RIFLE LOADED

5.

. Keep it

unloaded, whether stored in a holster, gun case or other container.

HUNTING FROM ELEVATED SURFACES SUCH AS TREE STANDS IS

6.

DANGEROUS

, and may increase the risk of handling a firearm. The
following rules should always be observed by you and those you hunt
with: Always make certain that the stand being used is safe and stable.
Always make certain that your firearm is unloaded when it is being
taken up and down from the stand. Always make certain that your
firearm is not dropped from the stand, or dropped while it is being
taken up or down from the stand. Remember, a loaded firearm may
discharge when dropped, even with the safety in the on safe position.

BEWARE OF BARREL OBSTRUCTIONS

7.

. When preparing to shoot your
rifle, check for a barrel obstruction as follows: First, fully unload the
rifle by removing the magazine, locking the action open and inspect­ing the chamber.

BE CERTAIN NO LIVE ROUND IS IN THE CHAMBER.

Then
glance down the barrel to be sure it is clear of any obstruction. It takes
only one small obstruction to dangerously increase pressures. Before
the first firing, clean the bore with a cleaning rod and patch, and wipe
away any anti-rust compounds in the chamber and around the action.

BE ALERT TO THE SIGNS OF AMMUNITION MALFUNCTION.

8.

If you detect
an off sound or light recoil when a cartridge is fired, do not load
another cartridge into the chamber. Fully unload by removing the
magazine and removing the cartridge from the chamber. With the
action open, glance down the barrel to make sure that an obstruction

3

does not remain in the barrel. If there is an obstruction, completely
clear the barrel before loading and firing again. Failure to follow these
instructions can cause extensive damage to your gun and possible
serious injury to yourself and others.

BE CERTAIN YOUR RIFLE IS UNLOADED BEFORE CLEANING.

9.

Because so
many gun accidents occur when a firearm is being cleaned, special and
extreme care should be taken to be sure your gun is unloaded before
disassembly, cleaning and reassembly. Keep ammunition away from
the cleaning location. Never test the mechanical function of any
firearm with live ammunition.

ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR RIFLE WHEN NOT IN USE.

10.

Your responsibilities
do not end when your firearm is unattended. Store your rifle and
ammunition separately and well beyond the reach of children. Take
all safeguards to ensure your rifle does not become available to
untrained, inexperienced or unwelcome hands.

USE THE PROPER AMMUNITION.

11.

The barrel and action of this rifle
have been made with substantial safety margins over the pressures
developed by established American commercial loads.

BROWNING ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR ACCIDENTS WHICH OCCUR
THROUGH THE USE OF CARTRIDGES OF NON-STANDARD DIMENSIONS OR
THAT DEVELOP PRESSURES IN EXCESS OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE
AMMUNITION THAT HAS BEEN LOADED IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARDS
ESTABLISHED BY THE SPORTING ARMS AND AMMUNITION MANUFACTUR­ERS INSTITUTE (SAAMI).

EXAMINE EVERY CARTRIDGE YOU PUT IN YOUR BUCK MARK RIFLE.

HOWEVER,

Your Buck Mark rifle is designed and chambered for 22 Long Rifle
cartridges only. Browning cannot assume any responsibility for the use
of unsafe or improper arms and ammunition combinations. It is your
responsibility to read and heed all warnings in this instruction manual
and on ammunition boxes.

4

12.

DISCHARGING FIREARMS IN POORLY VENTILATED AREAS, CLEANING
FIREARMS, OR HANDLING AMMUNITION MAY RESULT IN EXPOSURE TO
LEAD AND OTHER SUBSTANCES KNOWN TO CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS,
REPRODUCTIVE HARM AND OTHER SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY. HAVE
ADEQUATE VENTILATION AT ALL TIMES. WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY
AFTER EXPOSURE.

13.

DO NOT SNAP THE FIRING PIN ON AN EMPTY CHAMBER — THE
CHAMBER MAY NOT BE EMPTY!

Treat every gun with the respect due a

loaded gun, even though you are certain the gun is unloaded.

KEEP YOUR FINGER AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER WHILE UNLOADING

14.

AND LOADING — UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT.

15.

BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND BACKSTOP.

Take additional care
during low light periods. Know the range of your ammunition. Never
shoot at water or hard objects.

DROPPING YOUR BUCK MARK 22 RIFLE WHEN LOADED CAN CAUSE AN

16.

ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE EVEN WITH THE “SAFETY” ON.

Be extremely
careful while hunting or during any shooting activity, to avoid
dropping a loaded firearm.

ALWAYS COMPLETELY UNLOAD YOUR RIFLE’S CHAMBER BEFORE

17.

CROSSING A FENCE, CLIMBING A TREE, JUMPING A DITCH OR NEGOTIAT­ING OTHER OBSTACLES.

Never place your Buck Mark 22 on a car, or on

any unstable object.

IF YOUR BUCK MARK 22 RIFLE FAILS TO FIRE, KEEP THE MUZZLE

18.

POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION.

Hold this position for a minimum of 30
seconds. Carefully open the action and remove the cartridge. If the
rim is indented, the cartridge should be disposed of in a way that can­not cause harm. If the rim is not indented, your firearm should be
examined by a qualified gunsmith and the cause of the malfunction
should be corrected before further use.

5

19.

WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION WHEN SHOOTING.

Unprotected,
repeated exposure to gunfire can cause hearing damage. Wear hearing
protectors (shooting ear plugs or muffs) to guard against such
damage. Wear shooting glasses to protect your eyes from flying
particles. Always keep a safe distance between the muzzle of your
firearm and any persons nearby, as muzzle blast, debris and ejecting
shells could inflict serious injury. Also, wear eye protection when
disassembling and cleaning your rifle to prevent the possibility of
springs, spring-tensioned parts, solvents or other agents from
contacting your eyes.

BE DEFENSIVE AND ON GUARD AGAINST UNSAFE GUN HANDLING

20.

AROUND YOU AND OTHERS.

Don’t be timid when it comes to gun
safety. If you observe other shooters violating any of these safety
precautions, politely suggest safer handling practices.

SUPERVISE AND TEACH FIREARMS SAFETY TO ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR

21.

FAMILY.

This is especially important when children and nonshooters
are involved. Closely supervise newcomers to the shooting sports.
Encourage enrollment in hunting/shooting safety courses.

NEVER DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR TAKE ANY TYPE OF DRUGS

22.

BEFORE OR DURING SHOOTING.

Vision and judgment could be danger-

ously impaired, making your gun handling unsafe to you or to others.

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE — AVOID UNAUTHORIZED SERVICING.

23.

Your
Buck Mark 22 Rifle is a mechanical device which will not last forever,
and as such, is subject to wear and requires periodic inspec­tion, adjustment, and service. Like all Browning firearms, your Buck
Mark 22 Rifle should be serviced by a Browning Recommended
Service Center or by Browning’s service facility in Arnold, Missouri.

Browning cannot assume any responsibility for injuries suffered or
caused by unauthorized servicing, alterations or modifications of
Browning firearms. Read and heed all warnings in this instruction
book, on ammunition boxes and with all accessories that you install

6