Browning is owned by FN Browning Group, a Belgian company that is itself owned by the regional government of Wallonia. Browning firearms are manufactured in Belgium, Portugal, Japan, and the United States, depending on the specific model.
Despite its deep American history through inventor John Moses Browning, the Browning name today sits inside a European corporate structure that also owns rival American brand Winchester.
This article covers who owns Browning, where its firearms are actually manufactured, its founding history, and how it connects to FN Herstal and Winchester.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Browning?
Browning is owned by FN Browning Group, headquartered in Herstal, Belgium. Current product lines are shown on Browning’s official website.
FN Browning Group, formerly known as Herstal Group, is ultimately owned by the government of Wallonia, the regional authority in southern Belgium. FN purchased Browning’s firearms company outright in 1977, formalizing a manufacturing relationship that had already existed for decades.
FN Browning Group has continued expanding through acquisitions in recent years, including its 2025 purchase of French ammunition maker Sofisport and a strategic agreement to acquire UK based precision rifle maker Accuracy International.
Where Are Browning Firearms Made?
Browning firearms are manufactured in Belgium, Portugal, Japan, and the United States, with the specific location depending on the model. Most current Browning firearms are made in either Japan or the Belgium and Portugal manufacturing network rather than domestically.
Browning has manufactured many of its shotguns and rifles at the Miroku factory in Kochi, Japan since the 1970s, when rising production costs in Belgium pushed the company to shift much of its manufacturing there. Certain rifles are still made in Belgium and assembled at Browning’s Viana facility in Portugal.
A small number of Browning pistols are manufactured in the United States. Browning notes that buyers can confirm the exact origin of a specific firearm by checking the barrel or slide inscription, since the company does not manufacture every model at a single location.
How Is Browning Connected to FN and Winchester?
Browning, FN Herstal, and Winchester are all owned by the same parent company, FN Browning Group, making them siblings under shared Belgian ownership rather than competitors.
The relationship between Browning and FN dates back to the late 1890s, when inventor John Moses Browning partnered with FN to manufacture several of his most important firearm designs, including the Auto 5 shotgun and the High Power pistol. Browning continued working with FN until his death at the company’s Herstal facility in 1926.
Winchester, meanwhile, operates as a licensed brand name owned by Olin Corporation for firearms sold in the United States, while FN Browning Group’s US Repeating Arms Company historically produced Winchester branded firearms for international markets under its own ownership structure.
When Was Browning Founded?
Browning traces its origins to the late 1870s, when John Moses Browning began designing firearms in his father’s shop in Ogden, Utah. More on the company’s history is documented on Wikipedia.
Browning’s early partnership with Winchester Repeating Arms gave way to his long running collaboration with FN in Belgium starting in the late 1890s, which produced some of the most influential firearm designs of the twentieth century. FN formally acquired the Browning brand and company in 1977.
Today Browning’s product line extends well beyond firearms into optics, hunting apparel, and outdoor accessories, all sold under the same Browning name established more than a century ago.
Frequently Asked Questions About Who Makes Browning
Is Browning an American or Belgian company?
Browning was founded by an American inventor, but it is now owned by FN Browning Group, a Belgian company controlled by the regional government of Wallonia.
Are Browning firearms made in the USA?
Only a small number of Browning pistols are made in the United States. Most Browning firearms are manufactured in Japan by Miroku or in Belgium and Portugal.
Does Browning own Winchester?
Browning does not own Winchester, but both brands are connected through shared ownership under FN Browning Group, which has historically been involved in producing Winchester branded firearms for markets outside the United States.
Who is Miroku and how are they related to Browning?
Miroku is a Japanese firearms manufacturer based in Kochi, Japan that has produced many Browning branded shotguns and rifles since the 1970s under a long standing manufacturing partnership.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.