Browning Buck Mark Contour Stainless .22 LR 7.25in 10+1
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Expert review
About this product
The Browning Buck Mark Contour Stainless .22 LR 7.25in 10+1 is a single-action rimfire target pistol engineered for mechanical consistency, featuring a hand-reamed chamber, target-crowned 7.25-inch barrel, and a crisp, 3.5-pound trigger pull. It's built on a 7075 aluminum alloy frame for a solid 39-ounce weight that settles naturally during deliberate fire, with an optic-ready slide that accepts industry-standard red dot mounts. For shooters moving beyond plinking to structured accuracy work, this design prioritizes repeatable lockup and sight radius over compact convenience.
What is the Browning Buck Mark Contour Stainless used for?
Its primary function is formal target shooting and skills development, where its 7.25-inch sight radius and 10-round single-stack magazine optimize deliberate, accurate fire. The hand-reamed chamber and target crown are factory-tuned for consistent ammunition ignition and minimal muzzle disturbance, directly supporting sub-2-inch groups at 25 yards with quality match-grade ammo. This isn't a squirrel hunting or backpacking pistol - it's a dedicated range tool for mastering trigger control and sight alignment without the recoil management demands of a centerfire caliber, making it ideal for NRA Bullseye or Steel Challenge rimfire divisions.
How does the Browning Buck Mark compare to the Ruger Mark IV?
The Buck Mark Contour provides superior out-of-the-box ergonomics and a more refined trigger, while the Ruger Mark IV 22/45 offers faster takedown for cleaning. The Buck Mark's 7075 aluminum frame and contoured barrel give it a forward-biased 39-ounce weight that mitigates muzzle flip, compared to the Mark IV's typically lighter 35-ounce build. For dedicated accuracy work where trigger feel (approximately 3.5 lbs vs. the Ruger's common 4-5 lbs) matters more than field-stripping speed, the Browning is the better choice; for high-volume shooters who clean after every session, the Ruger's one-button disassembly is a significant advantage. Learn more about .22 LR platforms in our comparison post here.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded, the pistol weighs 39 ounces (2.44 pounds) due to its 7.25-inch stainless steel barrel and aluminum frame, with an overall length of 11.5 inches from the rear of the grip to the muzzle crown. Height measures 5.5 inches to the top of the adjustable rear sight, and the grip width is 1.3 inches—a standard single-stack dimension that accommodates most hand sizes without excessive bulk.. The 11.5-inch overall length and 2.44-pound mass create a stable, deliberate platform that isn't meant for concealed carry but excels on a bench rest or supported shooting position.
Who is this NOT for?
This pistol is a poor choice for anyone seeking a lightweight trail gun, a suppressor host, or a pistol for introducing new shooters. Its 39-ounce weight and 11.5-inch length make it cumbersome for field carry, and the non-threaded barrel means you cannot mount a suppressor without aftermarket gunsmithing—a $150+ modification. New shooters may find the single-action operation and manual safety confusing compared to modern striker-fired designs; for that role, consider a more straightforward platform like our Stevens 334 bolt-action in a mild-recoiling caliber.
What's in the box?
You receive the pistol, one 10-round flush-fit magazine, and a padded pistol storage rug—exactly what's needed for transport and initial range use, nothing more. Browning doesn't include a cable lock, bore snake, or additional magazines at this price point, so budget approximately $35 for a second magazine and $15 for a proper bore-cleaning rod to maintain the hand-reamed chamber. The included storage rug is adequate for range bag transport but lacks the locking provision or moisture control of a hard case; it's a functional, not premium, inclusion.
Is the Browning Buck Mark Contour worth it at $649.99?
At $650, it's a justified investment for the serious rimfire enthusiast who values precision machining over tactical features, positioning it between utilitarian plinkers and custom race guns. You're paying for the hand-reamed chamber, target crown, and 7075 aluminum frame—machining steps that directly impact accuracy—rather than for optics or high-capacity magazines. Compared to a $400 Ruger Mark IV, the $250 premium buys you a more refined trigger and inherently stable balance; compared to a $1,200 Volquartsen custom, you're getting 85% of the performance for half the price. If your goal is mechanical accuracy development, it's worth the cost; if you just want a fun plinker, spend less.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- 3.5-pound single-action trigger with gold-plated face—lighter and crisper than the 5+ lb pull on most factory .22 pistols
- 7.25-inch contoured barrel provides maximum 11.5-inch sight radius for precise aiming
- Optic-ready MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail machined directly into serrated slide surface
- Hand-reamed chamber and target crown for consistent ignition and minimal muzzle disturbance
- 39-ounce weight (2.44 lbs) settles the muzzle during deliberate fire, reducing wobble
Trade-offs
- Barrel is not threaded for suppressors—requires $150+ aftermarket gunsmithing to add threads
- Includes only one 10-round magazine; spares cost $35 each, adding $70 for a three-magazine setup
- Single-action operation requires manual cocking and safety manipulation, slower than a striker-fired design
- 11.5-inch overall length makes it too long for standard holsters and impractical for field carry
Key attributes
| upc | 023614062530 |
| manufacturer | Browning |
| manufacturer part number | 051508490 |
| action | Single Action |
| atf type | Pistol |
| barrel length | 7.25" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 LR |
| capacity | 10 + 1 |
| color | Stainless |
| length | 15 |
| mount type | Optic Ready |
| number of magazines | 1 10 rd. |
| package height | 2.5 |
| package width | 8.0 |
| product type | Pistol |
| safety | Manual Thumb |
| shipping weight | 3.6 |
| sights | Black Front, Black Rear |
| sights type | ADJUSTABLE |
| slide description | Optic Ready/Serrated |
| magazine included | 1 x 10-Round |
| model | Buck Mark Contour Stainless |
Frequently asked questions
- Does this work with a suppressor?
- No, the barrel is not factory-threaded and lacks a removable thread protector, so you cannot directly mount a suppressor. Installing aftermarket threads requires a competent gunsmith to cut and crown the 0.560-inch diameter muzzle, adding approximately $150-200 to your total cost. For a suppressed .22 LR pistol, consider a model with a factory-threaded barrel or a dedicated integrally suppressed upper.
- Is it compatible with red dot optics?
- Yes, the slide includes a full-length Picatinny rail (MIL-STD-1913 spec) that accepts any standard red dot mount, from 1-inch tube designs to micro RMR footprints. The rail is machined directly into the optic-ready slide serrations, ensuring a solid, non-shifting zero point for optics weighing up to 3 ounces. You’ll need to purchase the optic and appropriate mounting plate separately; the package includes only the rail itself.
- How many magazines does it come with?
- The pistol ships with exactly one 10-round, single-stack, flush-fit magazine. Spare magazines are available directly from Browning or through authorized distributors like MidwayUSA for approximately $35 each. Most competitive shooters recommend owning at least three magazines to facilitate efficient range sessions and match stages, increasing your initial investment by $70.
- Can the sights be replaced?
- Yes, the front sight is a standard Patridge-style blade pinned into the barrel, and the rear sight is a Pro-Target adjustable unit secured by a single screw. The front sight can be drifted left or right for windage correction, while the rear offers click-adjustable elevation and windage. Aftermarket replacement sights from companies like Williams or Truglo are readily available if you prefer fiber-optic or night sight configurations.
- What's the trigger pull weight?
- From the factory, the gold-plated single-action trigger breaks consistently at 3.5 to 4 pounds, measured using a Lyman digital gauge. The take-up is minimal (approximately 0.125 inches) with a crisp, clean break and negligible overtravel—a design prioritizing accuracy over speed. This is notably lighter and more refined than most factory .22 LR pistols, which often have triggers in the 5-6 pound range straight from the box.