The Best of the Best: What Makes an NSSF 5-Star Rated Shooting Range?

Introduction

For more than 60 years, the National Shooting Sports Foundation has been the standard-bearer for those in the firearms industry. Created in 1961 to promote, protect, and preserve hunting and shooting sports, the NSSF is a trade association with more than 12,000 members across the industry. As part of their mission to promote shooting sports, the NSSF has established a program to recognize shooting ranges that provide outstanding facilities for firearms enthusiasts, known as the NSSF 5-Star Rating System.

According to Star Rating System Guide released by the NSSF in 2018, the rating system serves the following purpose:

“The rating system is based on our vision of a safe, well managed, customer-oriented facility that is a strong promoter in the recreational shooting sports market. NSSF’s new Star Rating Range Program will hold facilities to a higher standard. These 5 Star-rated ranges will be the gold standard for our industry, those ranges having earned that rating through their focus on advancing best business practices.”

With 68 ranges currently qualifying for a 5-Star Rating, Action Target is proud to have partnered with 29 ranges who have earned an NSSF 5-Star rating. Below is a list of qualifying ranges associated with Action Target.

Action Target Partners with NSSF 5-Star Ratings

Range	Location	Website
Gunfighter Canyon – Williams	Williams, Arizona	www.gunfighter.com
Kings Gun Center LLC	Hanford, California	www.kingguncenter.com
Centennial Gun Club	Centennial, Colorado	www.centennialgunclub.com
Nexus Shooting	Davie, Florida	www.nexusshooting.com
Shooters World, LLC	Orlando, Florida	www.shootersworld.com
Shooters World, LLC	Tamp, Florida	www.shootersworld.com
Shooters World, LLC	The Villages, Florida	www.shootersworld.com
Guns-n-Gear Sports LLC	Idaho Falls, Idaho	www.gngsports.com
Maxon Shooter’s Supplies and Indoor Range	Des Plaines, Illinois	www.maxonshooters.com
On Target Range & Tactical Training Center	Crystal Lake, Illinois	www.ontargetsite.com
Smokin’ Gun Worx	Forreston, Illinois	www.smokingunworx.com
Firearms Range and Clothing, Inc.	Baton Rouge, Louisiana	www.frcbr.com
Cape Gun Works	Hyannis, Massachusetts	https://capegunworks.com/
Ann Arbor Arms LLC	Ann Arbor, Michigan	www.annarborarms.com
Top Gun Shooting Sports, Inc.	Taylor, Michigan	www.tgssinc.com
Heartland Gun Club & Range	Rochester, Minnesota	www.heartlandgunclubs.com
White Birch Armory	Dover, New Hampshire	www.wbarmory.com
RTSP, LLC	Randolph, New Jersey	www.rtsponline.com
Reloaderz NJ	Wayne, New Jersey	www.reloaderznj.com
Carolina Sporting Arms	Charlotte, North Carolina	www.csaguns.com
Heritage Guild of Easton, LLC	Easton, Pennsylvania	www.heritageguild.com
Keystone Shooting Center	Mars, Pennsylvania	www.keystoneshootingcenter.com
Nashville Armory	Nashville, Tennessee	www.nashvillearmory.com
Nardis Gun Club at Alamo Ranch	San Antonio, Texas	www.nardisgunclub.com
Nardis Gun Club at Rolling Oaks	San Antonio, Texas	www.nardisgunclub.com
Nardis Gun Club – San Antonio	San Antonio, Texas	www.nardisgunclub.com
Bellevue Gun Club	Bellevue, Washington	https://www.westcoastarmory.com
The Range LLC	Yakima, Washington	www.therangellc.com
Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays	Coplay, Pennsylvania	www.lvsclays.com

What Does It Take?

The process of becoming a 5-Star Rated Range with NSSF is one a new—or existing—range owner can complete with their existing business. The NSSF qualifies ranges for a 3-5 Rating based on the following criteria:

1. Appearance and Maintenance: The range must be clean, well-maintained, and visually appealing to shooters and visitors.
2. Management: This includes integration of technology, general business management, and marketing tactics together ensure a quality customer experience.
3. Shooting Sports Development: This evaluation looks at the procedures and policies in your business that support the promotion and development of shooting sports for the public. This includes public events and range availability, community engagement, and environmental practices to ensure safe range operation for the facility and staff.
4. Amenities: This evaluation considers the offerings of your business to the public, including restrooms, stocked pro shop or retail spaces, and compliance with ADA accessibility and other requirements.

Benefits of Being a 5-Star Range

Now that we know what it takes to be a 5-Star Rated Range, what are the benefits of being rated so highly? There are several benefits, some of which include:

1. Increased customer satisfaction and loyalty: The 5-star rating is a recognition of excellence in the industry, and customers are likely to be attracted to ranges with this rating.
2. Improved reputation and visibility: Being recognized as a 5-star range can help to establish a positive reputation in the industry and increase visibility among shooting sports enthusiasts.
3. Potential for increased revenue: Customers are willing to pay more for a superior experience and being a 5-star rated range can lead to increased revenue from range fees, merchandise sales, and other services.
4. Access to NSSF resources: 5-star rated ranges have access to resources provided by the NSSF, such as training programs and marketing materials, which can help improve operations and attract more customers.
5. Networking opportunities: The NSSF hosts events and conferences that provide opportunities for range owners to network with other industry professionals and learn about best practices in the industry.

Being rated 5 stars from the NSSF is mark of excellence that can help attract new business and other range owners to follow your example.

Action Target’s Role

At Action Target, we specialize in engineering range solutions that are expertly planned and installed, so you can be confident in the product you receive. This leads to high reviews from customers, more profitable ranges, better training options, and a safer experience for shooters and staff at your range.

Because of our commitment to excellence, 42% of NSSF 5-Star Ranges partnered with Action Target. Our projects and experience from around the globe has made Action Target a leader in the firearms industry, and NSSF’s rating system shows that Action Target continues to confidently provide quality service to both new and existing ranges.

“At Action Target, we are proud to have built many of the NSSF 5-star rated shooting ranges across the country” says Mike Birch, Action Target CEO. “We take great pride in designing and building state-of-the-art facilities that meet the highest standards of safety, comfort, and performance. Being a part of the process that helps ranges earn this prestigious rating is a testament to the quality of work and dedication of our team. We look forward to continuing to build and improve shooting range solutions for the benefit of the industry and its customers.”

Conclusion

Action Target has played a significant role in establishing many of the NSSF 5-star rated shooting ranges across the country. Our dedication to designing and building state-of-the-art facilities and range product solutions that meet the highest standards of safety, comfort, and performance has helped many ranges earn this prestigious rating. As a result, customers can enjoy an exceptional shooting experience while range owners benefit from increased customer satisfaction, improved reputation, and potential for increased revenue. By continuing to build and improve shooting ranges, Action Target is helping to promote and preserve hunting and shooting sports and ensuring that customers have access to the best facilities in the industry.

The creation of the NSSF’s 5-Star rating system was put in place to recognize “safe, well managed, customer-oriented” facilities for their excellence in preparing and training shooters across the country. Action Target’s mission to “build the safest and most advanced shooting ranges possible” aligns perfectly with this goal, which is only emphasized by the large amount of Action Target ranges who have earned a 5-Star Rating.