The United States was founded on freedom of speech, religion, and the right to own firearms. Across the country, firearm collections are owned by public and private dealers, collectors, and museums.
These collections tell an important part of the American story. Many featured weapons served alongside our fighting men and women as they maintained peace worldwide. If you are a gun enthusiast, check out a few of the best armories across America.
The NRA Museum
Located in Fairfax, Virginia, the NRA Museum has an enormous collection of firearms. Some of these guns date back nearly 700 years and document the entire evolution of the firearms industry. The museum includes several exhibits that feature famous British Double Shotguns and other rare pieces.
One collection focuses on military weapons throughout U.S. history. You can explore muskets carried by the Minutemen up to the modern-day rifles that our military is currently carrying in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Another highlight is the Hollywood exhibit. It features several guns from famous films, including the first pistol carried by John Wayne and the Beretta that Bruce Willis used in the Die Hard movies. This museum has over 85 exhibits and almost 3,000 firearms. The museum has an adjoining range, so you can bring your gun and get some trigger time.
Dragoman’s Gun Museum and Personal Armory
With a name like Dragonman, it is hard to miss Mel Bernstein. Born in New York City, Bernstein didn’t grow up around guns, but after a stint in the army and opening up his motorcycle shop on Long Island, he began collecting firearms. He has acquired what might be the most extensive personal collection of firearms in the world.
He has over 3,000 fully operational guns, but that isn’t all. He has military equipment and gear that span decades of use. It includes everything from German landmines from World War II to inside-the-waistband holsters used by today’s military and special forces.
When you visit Dragonman’s Museum in Colorado Springs, you will be amazed by the fully functional military hardware he has amassed. The museum stays busy, bringing in almost $600,000 annually and hosting thousands of visitors who see this impressive personal collection.
Plus, the gun wonderland also has several other attractions. There is a gun range on site to shoot fully automatic rifles and a paintball course for the kids. You can even take instructional courses for concealed carry. Whether you are a budding collector or a firearm enthusiast, it is well worth the trip to Colorado to see the collection.
Buffalo Bill Center of the Wild West
Buffalo Bill Center, Wyoming.
Few periods in American history are more iconic than the American West. At the Buffalo Bill Center in Cody, Wyoming, you can see and experience how the West was really won. This center has several exhibits and various activities, but its firearms museum is one of the most impressive in the western part of the country.
This museum has over 7,000 firearms and over 30,000 pieces of firearm history in its collection, from the early days of flintlock rifles to the modern industrialization of firearms. It is an excellent exhibit with several historical rifles from all major manufacturers.
They even have an original Hawken rifle owned by Wild West legend Jeremiah “liver-eating” Johnson; the Robert Redford movie Jeremiah Johnson was based on this mountain man. This museum has several unique pieces, making it a memorable trip to see this period of American history.
If firearms aren’t your thing, the exhibit also contains several art pieces, including posters, ads, and famous paintings depicting life out West. Once you have toured the exhibit, you can hop over to nearby Jackson Hole and the Yellowstone area to take in more history and natural beauty.
National Firearms Collection of the Smithsonian
Smithsonian Institution.
The Smithsonian is responsible for preserving American history, and guns are a part of that history from the settlers of the Mayflower to the present day. The National Firearms Collection is located in Washington, D.C. While not all pieces are on display, this collection holds several famous artifacts.
Only about 150 firearms are currently on display. These firearms depict some of the most difficult times in American history, including weapons from the Revolutionary War to modern times. Most of the collection is locked away at the National Archive, which is not open for public display.
Some of these guns are so rare that their value is almost impossible to assess. The special collection is only open to scholars and foreign dignitaries. The collection lends some firearms for public display, and about one percent has been loaned to the Buffalo Bill Center.
Conclusion
Guns are a part of the American story, and museums and collections allow everyone to explore and learn from the past. Not only will you get an excellent education, but it is a great way to spend quality time with your family. If you are a gun enthusiast, check out these famous armories nationwide.
Submitted by Concealment Express, June 2019, updated March 2025.
Also See:
Charles Askins – Gunfighter Legend
Famous Female Shooters of the Wild West