NRA National Firearms Museum

11250 Waples Mill Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA

Address:	11250 Waples Mill Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
Phone:	+1 703-267-1600
Site:	nramuseums.com
Rating:	4.1
Working:	9:30AM–5PM 9:30AM–5PM 9:30AM–5PM 9:30AM–5PM 9:30AM–5PM 9:30AM–5PM 9:30AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 12

Bill Stephens

Regardless of your position on guns, this museum is informative and compelling -- and as far as I could tell (as a reasonably intelligent, skeptical, and objective visitor), it did not appear to me as if the exhibits had been developed or presented for the unethical purposes of persuading me to buy into any of the NRAs propaganda or agendas. Its just a nice, well-organized (and relatively small) museum which happens to be located within the NRAs headquarters. The collection of firearms is remarkable, unique, well-preserved, and richly diverse. The exhibits do an excellent job of showing how firearms have historically been used (and misused) as tools of aggression and defense, and how they have been used for sporting, criminal, and recreational purposes. (The full-scale and operational Coney Island shooting gallery is a hoot.) Criticisms: (1) Lack of interactive exhibits. (2) Lack of large media presentations (i.e., there is no theater which shows any films about the manufacture of firearms or ammunition, the restoration of firearms, the development of specific types of firearms, presidential firearms, etc.). (3) No docents were available to answer questions about any of the exhibits. (4) Insufficient written descriptions of the items on display. (5) Two or three of the computer information displays were not working. I would allocate at least two hours for a visit to the museum. Finally, I think that this is an "adults only" museum which would probably be a snooze-fest for young children.

Steve H

I sent in my Membership application and a check. I was happy to receive the paperwork and acknowledgement a few weeks later. Then , about a week and a half later I received a bubble wrap envelope containing a gift from the NRA, a handcrafted jack knife made in China. Dear NRA, turn the news on sometime and see what China is doing to the American work force. Heard of Chinese drywall issues? Lead in paint? Ford Motors assembly, GE Aircraft, and countless others sending American jobs to China NRA... National Rifle Association of AMERICA?? You should be ashamed of yourselves!! Thats wrong on so many levels! Im sure that the knife was cheaper to manufacture over there.Ill be sending it back. Maybe you should just send out stickers. We can probably compete with China on that front.

A Private User

If you are into firearms or not this musuem should be on every bucket list - This museum has a draw dropping assortment of firearms from early "hand cannons" to modern firearms and everything in between. Some of the notable firearms include a GyroJet - a innovative weapon which used little rockets instead of a traditional bullet - A Liberator Pistol - the only pistol ever made which took longer to load than it took to produce (designed to drop into occupied France during WWII with the idea a Frenchman could use this .45 to kill a German and take his gun) - An officers pistol found in the rubble from the Trade Center. and SOOOO much more I could write a book here. Please make it a point to visit this museum.

Max Brown

If you enjoy guns, from the simple reliable verities to the exotic "Who would ever even think of this," then this is the place to go. I was blown away by the sheer number of firearms and the wealth of information available. But be warned, you have to seek out the information at touch screen terminals. This involves finding the number of the exhibit you are at, the number of the particular show case you are at, and the number of the gun in the show case. If firearms are your thing, expect to spend at least 3-5 hours here. If guns dont tickle you fancy, be prepared for boredom after about 30 minutes. There are almost no exhibits that do not exclusively show off firearms.

Jason Kelly

A group of armed men entered my residence, found my gun and ammunition before I could get to it, illegally searched my personal property and effects without a warrant, threatened me with a taser, confiscated my legally owned weapon and threatened me with physical violence until I left the house while they went through and documented the contents of my home. A clear deprivation of my of my 4th amendment and 2nd amendment rights. Please send me a message if you know which law firm I should contact to find out if law enforcement can legally steal your gun if they have no court precedence or legal rite.

A Private User

Very nice gun collection.. however I was highly offended by the gift shop alot of paraphernalia that was made in china.( I expected more from the NRA than this.) 1 other thing that I was offended by ln the section with guns from vietnam. they have a signed theyre saying the vietmanese won the war even that they were out gun, ( As I recall they had plenty of AK47 )this is a slap in the face to every american that died over there,vietmanese did not win that war!! Get it right NRA!!!! OR YOULL BE LOSING 1 MORE MEMBER!!!

A Private User

I am not the gun-lover in the family, but I have to say this museum was really really interesting! There are a lot of great artifacts from many different time-periods and the displays were packed with info and materials. What made if fun, too, was using the adjacent computers to look up detailed information about what you were seeing. Highly recommend !! After walking thru I found the website on-line ... also very interesting to watch the videos that provide some great background and history.

Mark Simpson

Surprisingly little blatant propaganda, but still some, like with what constitutes an "assault rifle," and why your grandpappys bolt shot is really just like an AR15 with a beta-c mag... but anyway, a really fantastic collection for anyone with a vague interest in firearms or military history. The biggest ding is the pathetic exhibit labelling that forces you to look up on laggy little computer kiosks what half the weapons are. But its free, so you get what you pay for.

Kelly D

This museum was free to enter, and there was ample parking. I enjoyed the displays because of the history behind each of the pieces. My favorite was the display about Wild Earp and the one for Annie Oakley. My kids enjoyed learning about the history of our country here, especially regarding the Revolutionary war. It wasnt just guns, there were other artifacts and displays. There was a tour which looked informative, but we didnt go on it.

Tom Algai

Good museum, a little bit out of the way from the center of DC but worth the trip. The museum has a very confusing touch pad stands for the information, but the devices dont make it easy to find information on the artifacts you are looking for. Overall, if you are interested in the subject matter, the displays in this museum are unique and plentiful. I do wish it was simpler pull up information on the artifacts.

Vince G

This museum hosts some of the most amazing works of early firearms craftsmanship from a bygone era. The museum also displays the collection beginning with the early days moving up through current firearms. Many of the guns were once owned by famous, or infamous people. Regardless of who once owned it, a visit to the place will be well worth the time of anyone with an interest in firearms.

Chad Russell

This museum are one of the most important museums in America. firearms are a huge part of our history and culture and this museum is essential or preserving our heritage. I cannot recommend visiting this place highly enough. The exhibits are fantastic and will take your breath away. Come see the true history of the United States at the NRA National Firearms Museum.