Browning carries the name of John Moses Browning, the most influential gun designer in history. The Utah company is now part of Belgium’s FN Browning Group and is best known for the Hi-Power and the Buck Mark .22.
Company at a glance
| Founded | 1878, Ogden, Utah |
|---|---|
| Founders | John Moses Browning and Matthew Sandefur Browning |
| Headquarters | Morgan, Utah |
| Ownership | Subsidiary of FN Herstal and the FN Browning Group, owned by the Walloon Region of Belgium |
| Status | In operation |
Locations and moves
Browning began in Ogden, Utah and is now headquartered in nearby Morgan. Many Browning firearms are made by partners abroad, including FN in Belgium and Miroku in Japan.
Timeline
- 1878 John and Matthew Browning found the company in Ogden, Utah.
- 1897 John Browning begins working with FN in Belgium.
- 1911 His M1911 design is adopted by the U.S. military (made by Colt).
- 1926 John Browning dies at the FN factory in Belgium.
- 1935 The Hi-Power, finished by FN designer Dieudonné Saive, is adopted by Belgium.
- 1977 FN acquires Browning Arms.
- 1985 Buck Mark .22 pistol introduced.
- 1997 The Walloon Region becomes sole owner of the FN group.
- 2017 Hi-Power production ends.
- 2024 Parent company renamed FN Browning Group.
Major pistols
| Model | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hi-Power | Single action 9mm | Classic, discontinued in 2017 |
| Buck Mark | Rimfire .22 | Popular target and plinking pistol |
| 1911-22, 1911-380 | Scaled 1911 | Compact 1911 styling |
| BDA 380 | DA/SA .380 | Discontinued |
Also makes: shotguns (Citori, A5, Maxus, BPS), rifles (X-Bolt, BAR, BLR, T-Bolt), safes and outdoor gear.
Important people
- John Moses Browning: co-founder and designer of the M1911, Hi-Power, Auto-5 and M2 machine gun
- Matthew Sandefur Browning: co-founder
- Dieudonné Saive: FN designer who finished the Hi-Power
- Julien Compère: CEO of the FN Browning Group
Notable events
- John Browning held more than 128 patents covering about 80 firearms.
- The Hi-Power served militaries around the world for more than 80 years.
- FN took ownership of Browning Arms in 1977.
Videos
Browning gallery
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Company details change. Information current as of October 2026.