Browning · Pistol

Browning Medalist

Name: Browning Medalist
Brand: Browning

Blowback (semi-automatic) · .22 Long Rifle · introduced 1962

Also known as FN Browning Medalist, Browning Medalist .22

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About the Browning Medalist

The Browning Medalist is a .22 Long Rifle semi-automatic target pistol introduced in 1962 and manufactured by Fabrique Nationale (FN) in Herstal, Belgium for the Browning Arms Company. The premier model in Browning's blowback rimfire line, it was a competition-grade match pistol featuring a heavy ventilated-rib barrel, adjustable target sights, a dry-fire practice mechanism, and removable barrel weights for tuning balance. Its anatomically shaped, hand-filling target grips and refined single-action trigger made it a favored bullseye and precision target arm during its production run.

Developed by Bruce Browning, son of legendary designer John Moses Browning, the Medalist refined the family's blowback .22 design into a dedicated match pistol intended to compete with the High Standard Supermatic, Smith & Wesson Model 41 and Colt Woodsman on the bullseye firing line.

Browning Medalist specifications

General

Type: Pistol
Action: Blowback (semi-automatic)
Firing mechanism: Hammer-fired
Trigger: Single action
Calibres: .22 Long Rifle
Magazine capacity: 10 rounds
Magazine: Detachable box magazine

Dimensions

Barrel length: 171 mm (6.7 in)
Overall length: 297 mm (11.7 in)
Weight (empty): 1.30 kg (2.87 lb)

Barrel

Rifling: Right hand

Materials

Barrel: Steel
Receiver / frame: Steel
Slide: Steel
Stock: Walnut
Finish: blued

Performance

Muzzle velocity (typical): 320 m/s (1050 fps)
Muzzle energy (typical): 130 J (96 ft·lb)
Effective range: 50 m

History

Introduced: 1962
Discontinued: 1974
Production status: Discontinued
Country of origin: BE
Designer: Bruce Browning

Features

Ventilated rib
Adjustable rear sight
Barrel weights
Dry fire mechanism
Anatomical target grips

Safety

Manual safety

The Medalist was the top tier of a three-model Browning blowback rimfire family that also included the Challenger and the Nomad. Cased examples shipped with a fitted locking case, three barrel weights, a cleaning tool and manual. Belgian FN production ran from 1962 until the mid-1970s; left-hand and International (gold-line) variants were also offered.