Sharp Shooter

Written by Bart Johnston / Photos by Sam Shallenberger

If you enjoy shopping, shooting, or even personal enrichment, you will want to visit The Outpost Armory for an hour or two or even the better part of a day. This world-class gun range and store is filled with a multitude of offerings suitable to both expert and hesitant shooters alike.

The Outpost Armory, founded by Chris Barrett in 2009, is a gun, ammunition, and accessories store that has recently moved into a brand new 23,000 square foot facility in Murfreesboro, just 30 minutes outside of Nashville. This special-purpose firearms facility includes a 10,000 square foot pro-shop and retail space, 17 shooting lanes with state-of-the-art ventilation and target retrieval systems, training facilities with private classrooms, and spaces for group events. One of the unique opportunities is their Meggitt FATS ® Virtual Training System. This immersive simulator includes over 1000 virtual scenarios to help military, law enforcement, and responsible citizens develop tactical skills and “use of force” decision-making without exhausting costly ammunition.

Firearms enthusiasts will find a more modern shopping experience than at typical gun stores. Raised display cases with unique and hard-to-find weapons cover the walls, and there are endless rows of gadgets, gear, ammunition, and shooting supplies that any discerning shooter would enjoy perusing. In addition, a large selection of handguns and rifles can be rented for use on the shooting range, which may be helpful if you are considering making a new gun purchase.

As a sister company of the iconic Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Company, Inc., the world leader in large-caliber precision rifles, the level of expertise and enthusiasm at The Armory Outpost is second to none. Education is a significant component of the shooting industry, and these guys have it covered. The credentials of The Armory Outpost employees range from Special Forces to Public Safety specialists, and the expert staff is certified in both first responder and first-aid training. While their skill sets are impressive, the patient southern hospitality sets this place apart from the typical gun store experience. Classes are numerous and varied—in August alone they have 17 classes scheduled ranging from Ladies Only First Shots, Gear and Gadgets to Tactical Med Class.

The Outpost Armory has the only 100-yard indoor rifle range in Tennessee, where tourists and enthusiasts are flocking for the “50 BMG Experience” to shoot the famous .50 caliber Barrett M107A1 rifle, which was developed by Ronnie Barrett and is utilized by the US Military. After firing, you can join their growing “Wall of Fame” by autographing your own four-inch-long shell casing or take it home for bragging rights.

In 2016, the Barrett .50 caliber rifle became the official state rifle of Tennessee. Notably, the Barrett MRAD Mark 22 was also selected for use by the United States Special Operations Command, making Ronnie and Chris Barrett the only father and son in history to each have rifles adopted by the US Military.

According to a “Historic Period Gunmaking” report by the Tennessee Department of Conservation and Division of Archaeology, gun manufacturing has occurred in Tennessee since the 1700s at over 300 sites. While more than 50 million people currently enjoy sport and target shooting activities in the United States, the National Shooting Sports Foundation estimates that 8.4 million people bought a firearm for the first time in 2020, and 40% of those first-time buyers were women.

From novice to expert, there is something for everyone interested in the shooting sports at The Outpost Armory. This store may have earned its spot in the historical record and will likely show up on TripAdvisor as a tourist destination where you can see a homegrown Tennessee legend and enjoy an afternoon of shopping and shooting.