The Range - St. Louis West — Local services in Ballwin

The range is good, and they offer a discount for veterans and law enforcement/ retirees.

Do NOT use them for gunsmithing!!!

I took in my brand-new Ruger 75th Anniversary 10/22 Sporter, and asked them to install fiber optic iron sights, which I provided. I had literally taken it out of the box, cleaned it, put it in my soft case, and took it in. After leaving it at the counter, they came out to tell me that I had left my case on the counter (with my rifle). They explained that they didn't keep them guns with their cases. Two days later, they said they were done installing the sights and bore-sighting it.

I went in, paid for it, and took it down to the range, to test/ make minor adjustments.

The sights were not centered. I didn't notice until I started shooting, and all of my shots were going to the right. As I looked at the rear sight, though, you could tell it wasn't centered on the barrel. Just to confirm, I checked with the rangemaster, and showed him my target, to get his opinion for correction... After all, I am a firm believer in "shooter error." Range master looked at the shot patterns, that I hit at different distances, and looked at the sights, and immediately agreed the rear sight was off-center, and suggested I take it back to smithing, with the target... That's when I noticed that the stock had been marred, not badly, but still - and not by the vice (no teeth), and way up near the end of the stock, on the left side. I'm right handed, with long arms (I'm 6'6"), no rings, and it was even further than I support it though I wrap the fingers off my left hand on the right side.

They re-adjusted the rear sight, and while they indicated that at least three different people handled my gun at different times, they were absolutely certain that there was no way they caused the marring. I suggested that perhaps they may have hit it on the edge of a table, or something. The assistant manager just looked at me, stone cold, and flat out denied it was possible.

"I would like to re-direct the jury's attention back to the fact that they bore-sighted the gun with off-center sights, and refused to keep my gun in its soft case."

Even after centering the rear sight, the gun was still shooting slightly to the right, when one of the smiths shot it following re-sighting. He shot high and right, at 10 yards, and attributed that (shooting high) to sitting and using a gun support, and in the same breath, "but it's on center!" (See 5 shot target). When I started shooting, I kept shooting to the right, as well, with the pull to the right increasing ever so slightly at greater distances...

As I looked at the gun, again, I focused my attention on the front sight, and noticed that it was slightly off-center, and about 2 mms to the left... I was done with their smithing, at this point. I had brought a rubber mallet and a pin, and gave it several taps in the stall, bringing the front sight to center (as noted by the sight being flush with the sight holder, on both sides), it shot GREAT!

When I got the gun home, I noticed that the barrel had just a little play in it, as I was cleaning it. A different gunsmith suggested it was likely the receiver screw in front of the receiver on the underside of the rifle. Sure enough, it was loose, and took a good 5/16 of a turn.

In all fairness, they did give me a refund on the $35 smithing fee, and did not charge me for my range time or targets. Thank you, Moe.

Edit:

In response to owner reply, laying my rifle on the flat bench should not leave indentions in my stock. If that were the cause, then one would expect to see many indentions in the stock. Further, if laying the rifle on the bench as shown caused the marks, they would be perpendicular to the barrel, yet, they're nearly parallel. Yes, they offered to return my rifle to Ruger, where such damage would not likely be covered. I never requested, nor expected replacement or other recompense for the damage, just a simple acknowledgement. After all, I'll be taking this rifle into the field, and expect dings, dents,...

Buyers remorse. This is a great range, but I had a really poor purchase experience there. I bought a new gun there and later found that it was jamming about 5% of the time. I brought it back in, and the guy at the counter tested the gun and said I need to be using 147 grain ammo. He said the problem was that I was using 115 and 124 grain ammo before. The first sales person didn’t say anything about that, and I actually had purchased a 1000 round case of 115 grain ammo. I think there’s something wrong with the gun because I did an Internet search and it said this gun has no problem with 115 grain ammo. I’m pretty sure there is something wrong with the gun and I have to use a hotter ammo to solve the malfunction. The original sales rep said if I have any problem with it just to bring it in and made it sound like they would take care of me. But the second guy who is extremely well spoken had me half convinced I need to use (more expensive) hotter ammo. I’m certain there’s something wrong with the gun and now I have to call the manufacturer and deal with them.

Update 6/27/25 (two months later): Shortly after my Google review was published, James, one of the managers reaches out to me. He apologizes about the employee that said I needed hotter ammo – he shouldn’t have said that. He encourages me to bring the gun in and they take a look at it. Several of them shoot it, it works fine, but it jammed once while I was shooting it with them. They blame it on my grip; my grip is not tight enough so the slide can’t operate properly. I’m thinking that can’t be right -- I’ve worked with an instructor, a former professional competition shooter, and he taught me a proper two-handed thumbs-forward grip. I’ve shot all the major brand handguns, including high-end race guns like Staccatos, and I have never had a problem with jams. I insist my grip, while not pro-grade like these guys, is not the problem.

I tell them I want to return the gun. I’m offered a meager trade-in, good for another gun or store credit. I expected they’d stand behind the product, as an authorized reseller for Canik, that they’d take it up with Canik, but they ‘stuck to their guns’ that the gun was fine, and they could not improve upon their offer. I decline their offer and say I’ll send it to Canik. At this point, as if I had some really original idea to do so, THEY offer to send to Canik.

Canik, who has a location in the US, still took the better part of two months to send it back to me (it felt like it was being sent off to Europe or something). Canik replaced the slide spring. I get it back, test it, it works fine. But by this time, I’ve lost my taste for Canik and this whole experience, so I want to trade it in, and get a gun that I’ve owned before and trust, a Smith & Wesson. I asked my point of contact there, Tyler, what it would cost after the trade-in and adding a red dot. I never did get a reply. I emailed Tyler and James a couple times, called a couple times, can’t reach anyone. Ghosted.

I feel that the way this should have gone down was that as soon as I had a claim the gun (under warranty), was defective, and if they were not able to fix it, that they should have offered to send it to the factory for repair. Rather than inconvenience and embarrass me, with claims I needed different ammo, or had a bad grip, they should have stood behind what they sold, and offered to get it resolved via the manufacturer.

I will probably continue to tell people that The Range West is a top-notch gun range, but I would not recommend purchasing a gun there, as they don’t seem to want to stand behind...

Attended the "Basic Pistol Class" recently. Before the class I had no experience with shooting any kind of firearm. I have never held a loaded gun. After purchasing a gun I quickly realized that training to use a firearm was necessary. After watching a few gun training videos on YouTube, I decided to enroll in a class. The gun shop where I purchased my gun recommended "The Range West."

At "The Range West," I was greeted by friendly staff members. The class was five hours long, and was packed with useful information. Elizabeth, the "Basic Pistol " Instructor, was very knowledgeable and professional. She is very passionate about guns and was detail orientated. She showed classroom videos and demonstrated everything about safe gun handling that we needed to know. She was very positive.

The last part of the training involved loading a real gun and shooting it. Before shooting, we were given further instructions on safe gun handling, and while shooting, we were supervised. My fellow classmates and I purchased enough ammunition to shoot one hundred rounds. Every effort was made to insure that the students were handling and shooting the gun correctly.

Overall, my experience was very positive. The five hour class went quickly, and the classroom training, along with the hands on experience, has helped me feel more comfortable with handling a firearm. More experience is needed, but thanks to the training, I have more confidence.

I highly recommend "The Range West" for anyone needing firearm training. After completing the "Basic Pistol Class," I feel comfortable with going to "The Range" to sharpen my skills in shooting a firearm. I also have plans on attending more classes.

"The Range West" is the perfect place to go for all of your firearm needs. The training is ideal for everyone, regardless of experience, and they have a large selection of firearms to choose from. I highly...