Busch Shooting Range — Local services in Weldon Spring Heights

The range is finally open. The Handgun/Rifle range is very nice. They are staffed with employees who are out behind the firing line with the shooters. There are I think 20+ booths for handgun and rifle shooters. The handgun range I believe is 50 yard max and the Rifle is 300 I think but cannot confirm. When you arrive at the range you go into the building, use the electronic kiosk to enter your name, age, etc and scan a drivers license. You also place how many in your party. The lanes are 3 dollars an hour. Once your hour is up your booth number is announced over the PA system and you must go wait in line again to get another booth. There are mandatory cease fires every 15 minutes for about 5 minutes. Each person must unload all weapons, place them in the provided holders in the booths, exit and place the chain up on the booth to prevent re-entry. then you will change the color of your booth marker so that the employees can see that you are out of the booth. Then you can go down range. A little hassle, but nice to have everyone on...

New facility is very nice. Some of the staff can be a little over-zealous at times. I can't say that I blame them, this is firearms we're talking about. But most staff (even the over-zealous ones) are generally knowledgeable and more than willing provide help and/or advice. The only slight complaint I have would be that they retained the original configuration. Unlike Jay Henges, where all lanes start at 7 yards and go out to 100 yards. The Busch facility has a "pistol side" that starts at 7 yards and goes out to 50 yards and a "rifle side" that starts at 25 yards and goes out to 100 yards. Minor inconvenience if you wanted to shoot your handgun and a rifle.

Also remember: a cease fire is called every 15 minutes on the nose. Meaning 10:00,10:15,10:30,10:45, etc. So the faster everyone changes their target, the more time you have to shoot. So don't stand out on the range analyzing your shot placement with your buddies. Get your target changed and get back to the firing line and...

William Elliot, the website has stated that the range is closed right there on the shooting range's front page for months now. It's the first sentence mentioned.

With that said, this range is decent, but certainly not the best. This renovation has been much needed for a long time, and I look forward to visiting again when it's re-opened. When I revisit the range, I will re-evaluate this rating, but as of now, it's average at best-- when you can actually get a lane. They are often operating at capacity, so oftentimes the drive isn't worth as as one might spend over an hour hoping to be able to get some target practice in. The price is fine ($5 or so), and it is nice and structured (ceasefire every 10-15 minutes so we can replace our targets, move them further out, etc.). The lanes are covered, the paper targets are included in the entry fee(unless you bring your own), and they are roomier than many...