Expanding Firearm History at the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum

by
posted on April 17, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
When the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum at Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, MO, opened in 2013 to the general public, it added yet another world-class educational institution to the list of NRA museums. Last year, the museum welcomed their one millionth visitor. This 7,500-square-foot facility is located in southwest Missouri at the flagship store of the Bass Pro retail network, and it was specifically designed to reflect the themes of hunting, conservation and freedom. Additionally, there are guns of competition featured at the museum.

There are nearly 1,000 spectacular firearms on exhibit, many from the NRA National Firearms Museum collection in Fairfax, VA, but many are on loan specifically for the newest museum in the heart of the Ozarks. Among the special loans are items from the Remington Arms Co. Museum of Ilion, NY; the collection of the Trapshooting Hall of Fame of the Amateur Trapshooting Association custom classics from the personal collection of the late Frank Pachmayr and many, many more.

With nearly 40 exhibit cases housing some of the most valuable and historically significant firearms in public or private hands, visitors will be able to see firearms once owned and used by such historical luminaries as Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill Cody, Col. Theodore Roosevelt and his son Gen. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., Gen. Dwight David Eisenhower, President Grover Cleveland, Napoleon Bonaparte, England’s King James II and a host of others.

Five of the largest exhibit cases portray the development of hunting arms in America, from Colonial times to present. It includes dioramas of an Indian hunting in the Eastern woodlands, Lewis & Clark with their air rifle, an 1880’s buffalo hunter, a 1950’s hunting cabin, and a contemporary father and daughter enjoying a duck hunt together.

A full-size mannequin represents Col. Theodore Roosevelt during his African safari of 1909. As well, “Guns of Old West Outlaws and Lawmen,” contains arms from such historical notables as Frank Hamer, John Wesley Hardin, Jesse James and “Black Jack” Ketchum, rounding out the exhibits and special collections on display in this remarkable location. So if you are travelling on historic Route 66, headed to Branson or stopping by Wilson’s Creek Civil War battlefield, be sure to drop in and visit this gem of a museum and reconnect with some of our American history.

The NRA National Sporting Arms Museum is located at the Springfield, MO, Bass Pro retail store (1935 S. Campbell St., Springfield, MO 65807). It is open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with extended hours during the Bass Pro Fall Hunting Classic. Museum-goers can take advantage of free admission and parking. For more information about the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum, visit basspro.com/nramuseum. Additional details on the National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, VA., can be found at nramuseum.org.

Latest

Steiner MPS 2 1
Steiner MPS 2 1

New: Steiner MPS 2.0 Micro Pistol Sight

Steiner’s second-generation enclosed-emitter pistol dot moves to a CR2032, adds oversized brightness buttons and a magnetic battery cover. MSRP is $631.99.

Berger Bullets Selected for SOCOM’s M1200 6.5 Creedmoor Load

Berger 6.5 mm 140-grain OTM bullets have been selected for loading in the M1200 6.5 Creedmoor Special Ball Long-Range Ammunition for U.S. Special Operations Command.

CCI’s Henry Golden Boy Collector’s Edition .22 LR Reaches Retailers

CCI’s Henry Golden Boy Collector's Edition .22 LR is shipping nationwide, delivering 275 rounds of 36-grain copper-plated hollow point at $31.99.

Results: 2026 NRA National Smallbore Rifle Prone, F-Class Championships

Mike Carter wins NRA National Smallbore Prone Championship by three points as Sam Pagliari takes his second consecutive F-Class title at the Cardinal Shooting Center.

O’Connor Makes History, Claims Second Straight NRA Lones Wigger Iron Man Trophy

Mike O’Connor becomes the first back-to-back NRA Lones Wigger Iron Man Trophy winner, topping the combined prone and three-position leaderboard with 8683-537X.

Walker’s New Boomies Passive Muffs Fit Ears Aged 1 to 3

Walker’s Boomies Passive Muffs bring a 23 dB NRR to children aged 1 to 3 with no electronics required, priced at $29.99.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.