By Jace Bauserman    Published on October 24th, 2023

Established in the late 19th century by John Moses Browning, the Browning Arms Company is forever rooted in firearm lore. Known for producing innovative and reliable firearms, the company’s legacy continues influencing the firearm industry with designs coveted by shooters and collectors alike. 

During its legendary firearm tenure, Browning has crafted some impressive shotguns, rifles, and handguns, and here, in no specific order, are 10 you should consider adding to your collection. Enjoy! 

A modern-day marvel still in its infancy, Browning’s X-Bolt is offered in many calibers and has developed a cult-like following. Launched in 2008, this bolt-action rifle was an instant success.

Why?

The reasons are many. For starters, X-Bolt rifles have a short 60-degree bolt lift. While many rifles have a more extended 90-degree lift, the short throw of the 60-degree bolt means faster, smoother reloading. The bolt is made from solid-steel bar stock for boosted strength, and a trio of locking lugs means remarkable bolt strength. 

Two more wins of the X-Bolt are the fully customizable three-lever Feather Trigger and free-floated, button-broached barrel with target crown. The Feather Trigger is screw adjustable from three to five pounds, and the trigger promises a clean, no-creep pull. The trigger has proved its salt by staying crisp after thousands of rounds. The barrel is bedded in the front and the rear for added stability. The free float also creates ideal barrel-to-stock spacing for increased accuracy.

Browning’s original Auto-5 is considered by many to be the best waterfowling shotgun ever created. Browning’s new A5 is also a waterfowling marvel — a reliable, rapid-cycling semi-automatic shotgun. Brought back to life in 2012 and built off the DNA of the original Auto-5, modern A5s feature the Kinematic Drive System for reliable, no-fail operation with a wide variety of loads.

The humpback receiver makes the shotgun stand out from the crowd, but its purpose is more than an eye-brow raiser. The design melds with the rib to extend the shooter’s sight plane. This means spontaneous sight alignment for quicker target acquisition and more accurate shooting. Many waterfowl guides and serious hunters claim that the A5 makes pulling doubles and triples easier, making those sometimes needed second and third follow-up shots deadlier. The composite stock and forearm are bulletproof, and when Mother Nature is at her worst, shooters applaud the textured gripping surfaces. 

If you’ve never shouldered a top-tier over/under shotgun and felt the balance and overall feel of perfect craftsmanship, you should. One we highly recommend, with roots dating back to John M. Browning’s Superposed, is the now-legendary Citori. 

Manufactured to precision tolerances, heat-treated for strength, and assembled into a fine-shooting work of art, the Citori promises impeccable function on the range and in the field. These guns are easy to shoulder and swing, have two barrels stacked along a single sight plane for superior shooting, and with the full-width hinge pin and tapered locking lug design, you’ll never wear this piece of shooting art out. 

Offered in multiple models and gauges to appeal to the shooting masses, the Citori and its steel receiver, classic inertia-style trigger, and precision barrels is still a preferred choice of top shooters around the globe.

There’s something about a lever gun, and when you spend time behind Browning’s BL-22, you’ll quickly discover what that “something” is. A great plinker and small-game shooter, the BL-22’s short 33-degree lever throw ensures easy cycling which makes it an ideal choice for newbies, novices, and veteran shooters. The trigger travels with the lever to prevent finger pinch, and the rifle’s lightweight nature makes it a joy to tote. 

The receiver sports a stylish blued finish and is grooved for scope mounts. The tubular magazine holds 15 rounds of .22 Long Rifle but will handle .22 Long and .22 Short ammunition, too. The magazine allows quick loading, and the adjustable iron sights provide superior accuracy. No gun collection is complete without a .22 lever-action, and the highly accurate and rapid handling BL-22 is a tried-and-true favorite you will call on often. 

The lowest profile over/under 12-gauge shotgun ever created, this shooter, thanks to its ultra-low-profile receiver, boosts accuracy and shooting comfort. Light and compact, the Cynergy is the choice of many serious clay dusters and upland shooters, and with models like the Cynergy Wicked Wing AURIC, many waterfowl lovers are also going to be tempted to travel down the Cynergy route. Browning even offers the Cynergy Ultimate Turkey Mossy Oak Bottomland, a nightmare for strutting spring longbeards. 

Browning engineers shrunk the receiver without compromising the strength and durability Browning guns are known for. As with many low-profile over/unders, the monoblock pivots on a pair of side-mounted trunnions, but unlike other designs, the robust MonoLock Hinge is behind the Cynergy’s low-profile receiver, which means 300 percent more surface to pivot on than traditional trunnion-style hinges. Available in 20- and 12-gauge models and in barrel lengths ranging from 24 to 30 inches, shooters have options. 

Browning launched the Cynergy line in 2004, intending to provide the shooter with improved ergonomics, reduced recoil, and enhanced durability. Mission accomplished! 

BAR stands for Browning Automatic Rifle, and you can trace the roots of this shooter back to the early 20th century. Designed by John Browning, the initial design was known as the M1918 BAR. This rifle was developed during World War I and saw plenty of combat that lasted into the Vietnam war. The original was chambered in .30-06 Springfield and used a detachable box magazine.

In the mid-1960s, the BAR evolved in the hands of Bruce Browning, a grandson of John Browning, and a team of skilled Belgian designers. This reimagined, civilian BAR has been offered in many variations and calibers, including hunting and sporting models. The BAR gained popularity with the shooting masses for its versatility and accuracy. 

For 2023, Browning’s BAR MK 3 - OVIX showcases short stroke, gas-piston operation, and strong rotary bolt design. The 411 on this shooter is it promises the kind of long-range accuracy one would expect from a bolt-action rifle. Part of the Speed line, the BAR MK 3 is engineered to be durable, light, and the perfect tool for the on-the-move hunter. Cloaked in a combination of Browning OVIX camo and a sleek Cerakote Smoked Bronze finish, the rifle blends with the landscape and is a true engineering win.

Perhaps Browning’s most popular pistol lineup, offered exclusively in .22 LR, the Buck Mark is a crowd favorite, and for a good reason. 

This .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun was introduced in 1985 by the Browning Arms Company. Its primary purpose was to be a sport and target shooting pistol, and the Buck Mark captured these crowns. Known for their accuracy, reliability, and distinctive appearance, these single-action, blow-back operated rimfire pistols have proven tried and true. 

The purpose of the Browning Buck Mark pistol is primarily recreational shooting, including plinking and target practice, though the line is favored by small game hunters, too. It's popular among new and experienced shooters due to its manageable recoil, affordable ammunition, and precision. The pistol’s design emphasizes ergonomics and ease of use, making it suitable for training and honing shooting skills. Over the years, Browning has released various models with different grips, barrel weights and lengths, and features to cater to different preferences and shooting styles.

A no-nonsense, high-performance shotgun that doesn’t break the bank, Browning launched its Silver Series of shotguns in 1993. Since then, the Silver Series has been overperforming. From those busting clays to serious upland goers to waterfowl geeks, the proven Active Valve Gas System allows the Silver to handle various loads and keep the recoil under control.

Today, Browning offers 15 models of its rapid-cycling Silver in 12-gauge and five in 20-gauge to ensure a Silver for every shooter. From the Silver Field in all-new AURIC camo to the Field Composite to the can’t-be-ignored Field Vintage Tan, this lineup is a win. 

Silver’s are easily recognizable by their semi-humpback receiver silhouette and brass bead front sight. If you’re in the market for a do-all shotgun, check out the many Silver offerings and make your pick.

The Browning 1911-22 is a scaled-down version of the iconic Browning M1911 pistol that is chambered for .22 LR (Long Rifle) cartridges. It retains the classic design and grip angle of the M1911 but is 15% smaller and much lighter, making it popular for training and recreational shooting. It’s a reliable and fun option for those who enjoy the look and feel of the M1911 but prefer a lighter caliber. 

Handgunners are drawn to the look and feel of the 1911-22, and it doesn’t hurt that these pistols are uber-accurate. From the Black Label Medallion Compact to the Black Label Compact Suppressor Ready with Rail to the Black Label Copper Full Size, you’ll find that’s right for you. 

The most economical big-game orientated bolt-action rifle in the Browning lineup, the AB3 is offered in various popular big-game calibers. It comes with stock types of wood and composite. 

Launched by Browning in 2013 as an economical alternative to the no-longer-available A-Bolt, the AB3 stands for A-Bolt 3, which indicates the rifle’s lineage. The AB3 showcases a detachable box magazine and 60-degree bolt lift that promises rapid and smooth loading and reloading. Accuracy-enhancing features like a free-floated barrel crafted from cold-rolled steel that is precision button-rifled, a new integrated trigger design, and Inflex Technology recoil pad make the rifle a must-shoot. The bolt unlock button allows the bolt to be opened with the top-tang safety in the on-safe position, and the new composite stock designs boost durability and reduce weight. 

Ten great Browning firearms makes something for you to chew on. The good news is no matter which one(s) you pick, you can't go wrong when you put your trust in a Browning.