About Us
While Collectors Firearms started in 1975, the story goes back much further to the early 1950s when native Houstonian Mike Clark developed a fascination with older guns after listening to one too many westerns on the radio. He would occasionally pick up a souvenir using his chore money from what he described as an old junk shop. When he was 9 or 10, he spent the summer mowing lawns and managed to save up $40. He saw an advertisement for a gun show and asked his father to take him. After looking around the show, he asked a man how much a particular gun on his table cost. The dealer told him it was $45 and Mike’s reply was “I only have $40” not as negotiation, but because he only had $40. The dealer’s table mate said “Let the kid have it at $40. You have had that gun way too long.”
Mike and his father walked around the show going up one aisle and down the other, Mike was approached by someone passing by who asked Mike if he wanted to sell his new purchase. Mike was not too keen to sell it, but asked the man how much was he offering. When the man told him $100, a gun dealer was born! He realized he had spent all summer mowing lawns in the Houston, Tx heat to earn $40 and he had more than doubled it in less than 30 minutes by buying and selling an old gun.
Collectors Firearms was started in 1975 by four friends who decided to lease a 600 square foot space and have a gun store. Their “business plan” was to pool their money, buy gun collections, keep the best stuff for their own collection and sell the rest. Unfortunately, two of the partners had to drop out within the first month due to health reasons leaving Mike Clark and Jerry Fountain holding a lease and being on the line at $100 a month!. They both decided they had to make a go of it. Mike and Jerry operated for 10 years as partners before Mike and Jerry decided to go their separate ways. Mike retained the business and bought Jerry out of his half.
Collectors Firearms was originally located on the corner of Richmond and Fondren back in 1975. It quickly grew from the 600 square feet to 4,000 square feet. In 1994, Collectors made a huge move by moving to the opposite side of the showing center it was located in and expanding to 12,000 square feet.
In the year 2000, Mike’s nephew Danny Clark had just graduated high school and was looking for a job for the summer before he started college. Mike asked Danny to come to work for him. Danny really enjoyed working at the gun store during the summer as he grew up naturally interested in firearms just like his uncle. After finishing college, Danny joined Collectors Firearms full time working almost every single position along the way.
Danny was first an employee, then was a minority partner and then secured a full partnership. Once Danny became a full partner, he began working on finding a bigger building that they could own instead of lease for the ever-growing business. In 2019, Collectors Firearms was able to purchase an old Barnes and Noble on the corner of Westheimer and Voss.
On April 20, 2020 right in the middle of Covid, Collectors opened its doors at 7626 Westheimer Road!
Sadly in Fall of 2021, Mike’s wife Sally had a major stroke and Mike decided to step back from the business to help care for her. Danny became sole owner of Collectors Firearms around this time.
In August of 2022, Collectors Firearms opened its Austin location located at 8301 S I-35 Frontage Road located inside of The Range at Austin. The Range at Austin is a state of the art gun range and experience. The Range at Austin did not deal in used firearms or Antiques, which is what Collectors Firearms excels at.
In March of 2025, Collectors Firearms opened its 3rd location in Dallas located at 5304 Alpha Road. 2025 also marks the 50th year in business for Collectors Firearms!
Alex
Alexandra is a firearm compliance specialist at Collectors Firearms, where she ensures regulatory accuracy and smooth handling of all compliance matters. Since joining the team, Alexandra has discovered a genuine passion for firearms—a field she hadn’t expected to fall in love with. Known for her strong communication skills and deep understanding of compliance protocols, she plays a key role in supporting both customers and internal operations. Outside of work, Alexandra enjoys traveling and exploring new places, always bringing the same curiosity and dedication she applies in her professional life.
Angela
Angela has learned most of her gun knowledge from her husband who is an avid collector. She is a Houston native with over 20 years of customer service experience. Angela loves dogs, cows, and an occasional squirrel. You’ll find Angela helping with your background check or at the registers, so when you find the perfect firearm in our vast collection she can help you through the buying process.
Birdie
Birdie is Danny’s Dog and best friend. She has been with us since 2016 and has the official title of “Head Shop Dog”
Charlie
Charlie has spent much of his life surrounded by the outdoors with a deep respect for firearms. What began as a childhood fascination quickly grew into a full-blown passion, leading him to a career dedicated to the history, function, and safe handling of guns. Whether he’s guiding new enthusiasts, or staying up to date on the latest models, Charlie brings both expertise and enthusiasm to everything he does in the firearms world.
Coleson
Coleson is a graduate from the University of North Texas with a degree in history and political science who is a dedicated and hardworking professional with a strong work ethic and a passion for firearms and all things militaria. He is known for being an engaging and welcoming team player who brings enthusiasm, energy, and a positive attitude to any environment. Adaptable and eager to take on new challenges, always giving 100% in every opportunity. Coleson is recognized for his ability to connect with others, create a fun and engaging atmosphere, and go above and beyond to get the job done.
Dan
Dan is the head of our hunting department and our resident watch enthusiast. Dan is an avid hunter with a lifetime of knowledge and expertise in his field. He utilizes his experiences to bond with his customers and get them exactly what they need. In his free time, Dan can be found tinkering with one of his watches or custom hunting rifles.
Danny
Danny Clark grew up in Houston, Texas. From a young child, he always had fascination with guns. His father would regularly take him to Houston area gun show despite not having an interest in guns himself and of course they would go to his Uncle Mike’s store, Collectors Firearms. During the summer between high school and college, Danny was looking for a summer job. His uncle Mike offered him a job working at Collectors Firearms and by the end of the summer, Danny knew what he wanted to do for a living. After finishing college, Danny began full time at the store doing almost every job in the place. Soon Danny was attending gun shows, auctions and buying collections all throughout the country sometimes traveling as many as 8 months out of the year. Danny was able to purchase a minority interest in the store, then became full partner and eventually became the sole owner in 2021 when his uncle Mike retired.
Danny has had many different collections over the years. Some of those collections consisted of 123 Sig P210s, an extremely large collection of Native American items including 47 tomahawks, deluxe Colt percussion revolvers, bowie knives and a number of very fine guns that he appreciated for one reason or another.
Danny prides himself and Collectors Firearms on Customer Service. Feel free to reach out to him directly by email, [email protected], or his cell phone, 713-248-7540.
Outside of work, Danny enjoys spending time with his two daughters and his lovely wife Clara. Outside of family, his favorite hobby is Shooting Sporting Clays.
Dawson
Dawson is a dedicated firearms professional with close to two years of experience working here at Collectors Firearms Houston. As a firearms professional/enthusiast, he brings lots of passion, product knowledge, and customer-focused service to one of the biggest and well-respected names in the industry. Growing up around guns, he has created a deep-rooted love and respect for firearms and the active gun community. Outside of work, he has a strong personal interest in tactical gear, equipment training, and real-world application. Dawson regularly trains with modern tactical systems and takes pride in understanding not just how gear works, but how it performs under pressure. Whether it’s helping a first-time buyer or assisting a seasoned collector, Dawson strives to provide insight and support that reflects both his personal experience and genuine love for this field.
Eric
Fabrice
Fabrice is the head of our gunsmithing department. Fabrice is truly one of the top gunsmiths in the world. Fabrice was educated at the Armory school in St. Etienne. He is a virtuoso in firearms restoration; being able to do masterful work on metal, wood, ivory and pearl. He is trusted to work on the finest guns in the world. If you have a high value gun, or a restoration project that no one else can do, Fabrice is the gunsmith that can accomplish it.
Franco
Eliseo Franco started his journey in the firearms world about 6 years ago while recovering from a car accident. Previously, he was a pretty big car guy. When he could no longer work on cars and still wanted to tinker with things guns seemed like a natural choice since his entire family was already involved in the shooting sports hobby. It has turned from a hobby into a bit of an addiction and he just can’t seem to learn enough about this great way of life. It has allowed him to meet some great people on his journey, and that’s what brought him to Collectors Firearms. Franco helps clients make informed decisions, offering expert advice on everything from performance to what would fit the use case they are shopping for. Whether they are a seasoned collector or a first-time buyer, Franco is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and matching each client with the perfect firearm for their needs.
Goldie
Goldie is Danny’s Dog and his second best friend. Goldie has been with us since 2022. Her title is “Assistant Shop Dog”
Jaime
Jaime Navarro has been a dedicated member of the Collectors Firearms team since 2017. He began his journey by preparing firearms for pre-sale and quickly demonstrated a strong work ethic and passion for craftsmanship. Over time, he was given the opportunity to train and grow within the field of gunsmithing, learning directly from renowned French master gunsmith Fabrice Champagnac.
Jaime worked with Fabrice for over eight years, gaining a wealth of specialized knowledge and hands-on experience that shaped his expertise. Today, Jaime continues to practice gunsmithing with the same enthusiasm and commitment to excellence. He takes pride in delivering high-quality, guaranteed work and enjoys building strong relationships with customers. His dedication to his craft and continuous learning make him a valuable asset to the firearms community.
Jerry
Jerry has 35+ years in the gun business and has loved every minute of it. “I don’t need a gun, I’ve got the Holy Spirit in me…but I like guns so I carry one anyway!”
Jessica
Born and raised in Texas, Jessica is our lead photographer here at Collectors. With over 16 years of experience, she loves her work more than anything else she has ever done. She has a keen eye and a passion for guns, which she considers works of art. Through her photos, she aims to showcase the beauty and functionality of each gun or weapon, ensuring that customers understand exactly what they are purchasing and are completely satisfied with their acquisition. In addition to taking product photos for the website, she also handles photography for social media. When she’s not at Collectors Firearms, she enjoys spending time at the beach or in the countryside, soaking up the sunshine. Her hobbies include gardening, crafting, discovering new tea shops, watching good mystery or action movies, and listening to classic oldies.
Jose
Jose is a dedicated team member at Collectors Firearms where he brings a strong knowledge of historical and modern firearms along with a genuine passion for customer service. Known for his approachable demeanor and attention to detail, he takes pride in helping customers find exactly what they are looking for, whether they are experienced collectors or first-time buyers. Outside of work, Jose is an avid skateboarder and music enthusiast. He finds inspiration in creative expression, whether he’s skating local spots, discovering new music or attending live shows. His enthusiasm, patience and curiosity translate seamlessly into his work where he enjoys sharing knowledge, learning from others and helping people connect with pieces that matter to them.
Believing great service goes beyond transactions-it’s about creating memorable experiences and building lasting relationships.
Josh
Josh started his career in the medical field as an EMT, but something always drew him into collecting antique firearms. Josh’s father first took him to Collectors Firearms as a kid, so when Collectors offered him a part-time job, he couldn’t refuse. From that part-time job, he became a full time employee, moving into our internet department, and is now GM. Josh specializes in firearms from the French and Indian war up to World War II. His main love is firearms and artifacts from the American revolution and Texas revolution.
Lupita
Lupita is a proud Houston native and a graduate of University of Houston. She joined our team as she is always looking to learn new things. When she isn’t at Collectors she enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys gardening and cooking. She also dedicates much of her time to her many pets. She loves exploring new music and cultures because she is a believer that there is always room to grow and make each other better.
Matthew
Matthew is a professionally trained gunsmith with over a decade of experience in the field. His passion for firearms began at the age of 15, where he quickly developed a deep appreciation for both the sport and the intricate mechanics behind each firearm. This early interest sparked a desire to understand the inner workings of firearms, leading him to pursue formal training in gunsmithing.
In 2009, Matthew enrolled in the prestigious Trinidad Gunsmithing Program and graduated in 2011 with the skills and knowledge to excel in the craft. Since then, he has worked as a full-time gunsmith, servicing thousands of firearms over the years. Matthew’s expertise spans a wide range of firearms, and his attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship have earned him a strong reputation in the industry.
Mercedes
Monica
Monica has been working at Collectors Firearms since October of 2024. She is driven and helpful with 10 years of customer service experience. Monica is new to Houston and originally from the RGV in south Texas. Her favorite gun is the PP-919 Bizon.
Nathan
Started off as a customer, and was drawn to the wonder of the unique and vast inventory at Collectors Firearms. Nathan is probably the biggest baseball fan in the grater Houston area, and of course his favorite team is the Astros! Through hard work and a love of his profession, Nathan worked his way up to GM. When he finds a topic that sparks interest, he laser focuses on that topic absorbing all the information he can. His favorite firearms are “retro AR-15’s”, specifically Vietnam War era guns. “I learn something new every day!”
Nicole
Nicole has been working at Collectors Firearms for nearly 3 years in the NICS department. her experience in firearms has given her a strong understanding of the gun industry and the importance of responsibility of gun ownership. She is very passionate about helping customers. She is known for being a detail-oriented, well organized team player, and also a great communicator and multitasker. Her performance reviews from her supervisors reflect her professionalism and enthusiasm for the job. She strongly believes the only way to do great work is to love what you do.
Preston
Preston began working at Collectors Firearms looking to turn his passion into a career, and what a career it has been! Working at Collectors Firearms has not only strengthened his passion for the industry, but it has allowed him to do what he loves for a living. Preston’s favorite firearms are anything with the letters “AK” attached to it and enjoys building AK’s in his free time. “Making simple is sometimes many times more difficult than complicated” – Mikhail Kalashnikov.
Rebecca
Rebecca is a dedicated and detail-oriented accounting professional. With over 30 years of experience in many industries, she brings a diverse range of skills and knowledge to Collectors Firearms.
Robby
Robby has always had a passion for movies and television, but especially the firearms that are featured in them. From Clint Eastwood in the wild west, to Tom Selleck in the tropics, he grew up enthralled with their firearm choices. Naturally, Collectors Firearms caught his attention with their selection, and not too many years after his first purchase with them, he applied. With over three years now working in the E-commerce department, Robby developed a solid base of knowledge from antiques to modern weaponry and strives to learn something new each day.
Robert
With over two decades of hands-on experience, Robert brings deep knowledge of firearms alongside a lifelong passion for the shooting world, having picked up his first gun at the age of six. As a former professional shooter and firearms instructor, he pairs technical expertise with a genuine dedication to helping customers make informed, confident choices. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or just getting started, Robert offers honest advice, personalized recommendations, and a friendly, no-pressure approach. He takes pride in creating a welcoming environment where every customer feels comfortable and walks away fully equipped for their shooting pursuits.
Steve
Steve began working at Collectors Firearms after moving 1600 miles from the state of New Jersey. This is where he was able to finally put his love of high end sporting rifles and shotguns to use. Steve’s love of sporting guns is a tremendous help with our customers who appreciate hunting and fine craftsmanship. On Steve’s off days he can be found hunting down the various firearms on New Jersey’s ban list.
