Browning Challenger .22 magazines

Quincy · March 11, 2017, 06:02 PM

I recently picked up a Challenger II with three magazines. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but one of them is marked Browning on the bottom, the other two are not. The other two could be from a Mark III, as the have the cut out for a grip mag. release whereas the Browning one does not. Is there a way to tell if they are original Browning's or aftermarket?

dgludwig · March 12, 2017, 12:31 PM

The original, Belgium-made Challenger, along with the Nomad and Medalist models, had "Browning" stamped on the bottom of the magazine. All the rest are aftermarket. The genuine article is pricey when you can find one. I think the same is true for the Challenger II models but I'm not sure. The Rimfire Central forum is a good source of knowledge for anything rimfire related.

bn12gg · March 12, 2017, 08:49 PM

Original Browning Challenger II mag is --- 22LR. BROWNING -- dead center bottom of mag in subtle long oval indent.

.02. David.

makarov · March 16, 2017, 01:04 AM

Medalist mags are hard to find, bought a Browning Nomad just to get a couple magazines. Good excuse to buy another gun!

dgludwig · March 16, 2017, 01:05 PM

That's my plan, makaro. Because genuine Browning magazines by themselves can cost $100.00 and more, I'm looking for a "beater" Nomad for the mag(s) and, like you said, have a pistol to boot. Win-win!

March 11, 2017, 06:02 PM	#1
Quincy Member Join Date: January 13, 2009 Posts: 70	Browning Challenger .22 magazines I recently picked up a Challenger II with three magazines. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but one of them is marked Browning on the bottom, the other two are not. The other two could be from a Mark III, as the have the cut out for a grip mag. release whereas the Browning one does not. Is there a way to tell if they are original Browning's or aftermarket?

March 12, 2017, 12:31 PM	#2
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	The original, Belgium-made Challenger, along with the Nomad and Medalist models, had "Browning" stamped on the bottom of the magazine. All the rest are aftermarket. The genuine article is pricey when you can find one. I think the same is true for the Challenger II models but I'm not sure. The Rimfire Central forum is a good source of knowledge for anything rimfire related. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

March 16, 2017, 01:04 AM	#4
makarov Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2000 Location: Washington State Posts: 709	Medalist mags are hard to find, bought a Browning Nomad just to get a couple magazines. Good excuse to buy another gun! __________________ "Where Zen ends, asskicking begins" - Hyde - That 70's Show

March 16, 2017, 01:05 PM	#5
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	That's my plan, makaro. Because genuine Browning magazines by themselves can cost $100.00 and more, I'm looking for a "beater" Nomad for the mag(s) and, like you said, have a pistol to boot. Win-win! __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

March 12, 2017, 08:49 PM	#3
bn12gg Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2011 Location: Winter Park, Florida Posts: 470	Original Browning Challenger II mag is --- 22LR. BROWNING -- dead center bottom of mag in subtle long oval indent. .02. David.