Issue 11 Preview – National Firearms Museum Rob Hardin Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More Find out more about how we test products. Photography by Rob Hardin and National Firearms Museum A Celebration of Freedom and American Heritage What’s on your list of places to go and places to see? Perhaps Disney World with the family. Maybe the Grand Canyon to see Mother Nature’s majestic beauty. But have you ever thought about making the NRA National Firearms Museum a destination? If you’re a gun enthusiast, it’s one box you must check off your bucket list. The National Firearms Museum is working constantly to preserve American history and the guns that have played a role in it, and the collection traces the evolution of firearms over six centuries of development. The guns range from the earliest of hand cannons to the latest in technology, like the .50-caliber M82A1. Did we mention it has a collection of more than 7,000 pieces? Now do we have your interest piqued? On our recent visit to the facility — located at the NRA headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia — we were met by gun scholar and museum director Jim Supica, who led us through the campus with encyclopedic knowledge and contagious enthusiasm. Most importantly, he gave us historical context. We first walked through the anchor of the facility, the Robert E. Petersen Gallery. For the rest of this article, subscribe here: RECOIL Issue 11 Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
