If you’ve got a Browning, it’s worth investing in a quality holster to carry it in. This is especially true if you are using your browning for hunting or other sports, as getting a good holster can really improve your performance in the field.
The range of holsters available for Browning Pistols is now immense, and this can make choosing the correct one a daunting task.
That’s where we come in. After reading hundreds of reviews, talking to loads of experts on Browning holsters, and trawling through seemingly endless forums full of people discussing the pros and cons of various holsters, I think I finally know which holster you should buy for your Browning.
It’s the Browning Buckmark Holster. Whilst plenty of third party holsters offer a good range of additional features, this item is proof that sometimes it is worth sticking with the company that made your gun when it comes to choosing a holster.
The fit on the handguns we tested was perfect, and the flexible construction of this holster means that it is very well suited to outdoor activities, no matter how strenuous.
Choosing a holster for hunting can be a tricky business because your needs are often quite different from those who carry their weapon for self defense. For this review, I’ve assumed that most of you use your Browning, at least sometimes, for hunting, and therefore need a holster that will put up with the rigors of the environment.
Even if you don’t get to go out hunting as often as you would like, getting a rugged holster will ultimately save you money in replacing worn out items.
Browning Buckmark Holster w/Mag Pouch
This holster certainly fulfills that criteria, containing all the features you would expect in a premium item. Though it is a fabric holster, and I know that some people are dubious that such items can last as long as Kydex or other polymer-based holsters, the people I spoke to for this review reported that this holster will last for years.
In addition, the ovrersize version of this holster – available for just a little more – will accommodate a small scope or reflex sight. This feature is very unusual on holsters of this type, and is very popular amongst hunters. If you want to avoid the hassle of carrying your gun and sights separately out to the field, before spending valuable minutes screwing them together, this feature is great.
The belt loop mounting on this holster is also strong and sturdy. Whilst not the most advanced type of mounting available for your Browning, many people actually find the simplicity of this design to be a big advantage in terms of maintenance.
Having such a basic mount also helps to develop a correct draw technique, because you will be doing all the work, and not coming to rely on a fancy holster to improve your draw.
In terms of disadvantages, in truth I can find very little bad to say about this holster, given it’s price point. It’s true that more expensive holsters offer a few extra features, such as variable cant or retention pressure, but for most purposes this holster will give you all the adaptability you need for the field. For most people in most situations, this holster offers everything you will ever need.
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Our Browning Holster Review Process
Eveyone has their own pet hates when it comes to holsters, whether it be the plasticy feel of some cheaper nylon items, or a weapon retention system that gets in the way of their draw. For this reason, recommending the perfect holster for your Browning can be a tricky business.
Our review process aims to get around this problem. For this review, I’ve read hundred of other reviews by both professionals and from the huge gun owner’s community. Before testing the holsters myself, I took a good look at which holsters people loved, and which they found annoying.
After reading endless reviews, I contacted people who were particularly passionate about their Browning holsters, in order to get more information.
After reading endless reviews, I contacted people who were particularly passionate about their Browning holsters, in order to get more information.
Then, we ordered a batch of what seemed to be the best holsters, and tested them. Some holsters that come with a range of advanced features are actually really difficult to use, and for this reason we would never recommend a holster without getting first hand experience of how it feels to use.
I know that many Browning owners love the retro feel of their weapons, and so for this review I prioritized the look and feel of the holsters a little more than I normally would. As a result, some of the holsters I recommend for the Browning are leather holsters that may not be suitable for other weapons.
What Sets the Browning Buckmark Holster Apart
Well, probably. Whilst it is impossible to recommend a holster for everyone’s needs, I think this one gives the perfect balance of all the features you would expect in a premium item. It is extremely lightweight, holds your Browning securely, and the fabric construction gives it a great deal of flexibility.
That said, it is not for everyone. Those who use their Browning in a professional capacity may want to invest in a solid body holster, and for good reason – holsters moulded from Kydex or other polymers tend to last a little longer than those made from nylon, and may help to protect your Browning from accidental knocks and scrapes. If you look after this nylon holster, however, there is no reason why it will not last for many years.
Browning Buckmark Holster Retention System
Secondly, note the slightly low-tech retention system on this holster, which consists of a thumb strap fastened with a standard buckle. This means that in order to draw your weapon, you need to fiddle around with a buckle, greatly reducing draw speed if carrying the weapon securely. Whilst this is unlikely to be a problem for those people who use their Browning for hunting, it could be an issue if you are
Whilst this is unlikely to be a problem for those people who use their Browning for hunting, it could be an issue if you are carrying your gun for self defense. All that said, and thouhg I was sceptical at first, the simplicity of this system actually means that your weapon is held very securely, and also that there are less parts to go wrong on your holster.
Lastly, and to be very picky, if you have a smaller Browning there is a significant amount of material on this holster which hangs out over the barrel. It is made to accommodate the largest guns, and as a result there is some wasted space. Whilst not really a problem when using the holster, this looks a bit ugly.
These things out of the way, I would say that the Browning Buckmark Holster is pretty perfect for most Browning owners most of the time, and especially suited for those who take their Browning out hunting.
Browning Holster – Frequently Asked Questions
- Will these holsters fit my Browning?
This is a very difficult question to answer, because of the numerous variants Brownings come in. The best approach, to my mind, is to phone the manufacturer of the holster you want to buy, and check directly. This is especially true if you have an unusual gun, or have fitted aftermarket accessories.
- How are these holsters in terms of concealment?
The Browning 1911-22 holster above gives pretty good concealment, but the others are not so good in this respect. Normally, I would mark them down on this count, but in my experience those carrying around a full-size Browning are not looking for great concealment, but rather want a holster that will put up with the rigors of hunting and everyday use.
- Will these holsters work without a belt?
Not very well, in truth. It might just about be possible to have the waistband of your pants holding up your weapon, but we wouldn’t recommend it. Ultimately, the point of a holster is to hold your weapon in precisely the same place all day, and if your pants are slipping down that is not going to happen no matter what holster you buy.
Browning Holster Options – Conclusion
Which holster you need for your Browning depends, to a huge extent, on how you use it. If you primarily use your gun for hunting, you will need a different holster to those who carry their Browning for self-defense. In this review, I’ve prioritized holsters that are good for hunting, though these holsters would also make adequate self-defense items.
Browning Buckmark Holster Price
Secondly, and unlike many reviews I write, the holster I’m recommending today is actually at the cheaper end of the scale. This is because the Browning Buckmark Holster offers the best value.
Whilst plenty of third party holsters offer a good range of additional features, this item is proof that sometimes it is worth sticking with the company that made your gun when it comes to choosing a holster. The fit on the handguns we tested was perfect, and the flexible construction of this holster means that it is very well suited to outdoor activities, no matter how strenuous.
The fit on the handguns we tested was perfect, and the flexible construction of this holster means that it is very well suited to outdoor activities, no matter how strenuous.
Browning Buckmark Holster Extra Magazine Pouch
The additional magazine pouch on this holster is also a great feature, and really adds value to it. Extra ammunition storage is quickly becoming standard on high end holsters, and so it refreshing to see that even in value items it is making an appearance.
Again, this feature is especially useful if you use your Browning for hunting, because there is nothing worse than coming across more game than you have bullets for!
Again, this feature is especially useful if you use your Browning for hunting, because there is nothing worse than coming across more game than you have bullets for!
I was initially sceptical about the nylon used in this holster, for the simple reason that in my experience soft materials like this do not last as long as holsters made from Kydex or other polymers.
I admit, however, that I was wrong in this regard – the people I spoke to for this review reported that even when subjected to the worst conditions, the nylon lasted for years. Whilst some said that small marks on the nylon developed over time, nobody reported a problem with the holster wearing through.
For all these reasons, plus the ones above, this is my recommended holster for most Browning owners. It is comfortable to wear even on the hottest days out hunting, will last a lifetime as long as you look after it, and fits most Browning variants.
The simplicity of the locking mechanism, whilst on the surface appearing as quite a low-tech solution, actually has great advantages in terms of maintenance and reliability. If you are after the fastest draw available, there are better holsters available, but for most people most of the time this is the holster to get for your Browning.
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