Browning Buck Mark Plus Vision UFX Gold Pistol

The modern Buck Mark made its debut in 1985, and the current line has around 40 different “standard” models plus 18 “limited” guns with upgrades such as a muzzle brake or advanced sights.

The gun shown above, the Browning Buck Mark Plus Vision UFX Black/Gold suppressor-ready model ($720), is one of the latter. Like all guns in the Buckmark line, it is blowback in operation, light and trim.

Overall quality of the gun with regard to fit and finish is first class. While the gun feels like a trusted 1911, in the hand it points like a vintage Luger. This model has a target-style barrel with a target crown and hand-reamed chamber.

The steel barrel gets a gold Cerakote treatment and is just a hair short of a full six inches (actually 5.87) surrounded by a tensioned outer, scalloped aluminum sleeve with a removable muzzle brake to add a suppressor if desired. Threads are 1/2×28.

This model has the UFX grip design, an overmolded type of grip with molded finger grooves. The grip frame is comfortable akin to the angle on a .45 ACP, and with a slight arch at the bottom of the grip it feels like this gun was custom made for my hand.

As a Vision gun, it’s a lightweight thanks to the smaller-diameter barrel/aluminum tensioner system. It comes in at just 27 ounces unloaded. That’s nearly nine ounces lighter than comparable guns with a full steel barrel and will find favor on the range, plinking or in the field.

Topside, you have a fine set of adjustable sights. The Marble Arms Pro-Target rear features a white outline around its notch, and Browning machined a Picatinny rail into the topstrap for a scope or red dot sight if desired. The front sight is a TruGlo green fiber optic that’s mounted on a short ramp.

The slide lock lever is located within a comfortable thumb’s reach from your grip. Behind this is the safety that is a little different from others you may have been using. This one is levered from Safe to Fire, pivoting from the rear and not from the front. It’s positive in operation, and, like the slide lock, is easy to reach from the grip.

The checkered magazine release is located behind the gold-plated trigger, and with the assistance of a spring-loaded plunger on the base of the grip frame, it ejects the 10-round magazine from the gun with enthusiasm. The form-fit trigger breaks at just under four pounds with a minimal amount of creep.

No matter the model, Buckmark pistols make for a fine hunting, varmint or target gun, and this one has great looks to boot.