Ultimate Defense Firing Range and Training Center Earns NSSF Five-Star Range Rating

NEWTOWN, Conn. — The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®), the firearms industry trade association, is pleased to announce that it has awarded its highest Five-Star rating for range excellence to Ultimate Defense Firing Range and Training Center.

Located in St. Peters, Missouri, a bustling suburb of roughly 52,000 located approximately 40 miles west of St. Louis, the range operates Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Originally known as the Missouri Concealed Carry Training, LLC, when it was founded in 2003, the business was developed to provide enhanced firearms handling skills for those seeking to obtain their concealed carry permits. The ensuing years saw the operation’s customers demanding more advanced training as its reputation for quality and customer service grew, and in 2008 proprietor Paul Bastean built the indoor firearms range that became Ultimate Defense.

Ultimate Defense Earns 5-Star Rating“Paul and his team earned our Five-Star Rating under our previous criteria,” said Zach Snow, NSSF Director, Range Services. “From their earliest days, before there was even a range, they’ve shown a dedication to listening to their customers’ desire for a premium shooting facility and learning experience. That dedication has produced an outstanding range where the focus is always on the customer.”

Ultimate Defense sports 18 lanes. Twelve of those are 25 yards and support rifle use up to .223-caliber. The remaining shooting points are seven-yard lanes dedicated to close-quarters handgun proficiency training. The facility is handicap accessible, sports an automatic target retrieval system, is climate controlled and boasts ballistic protection barriers between shooting points. One of the most important features of the range is its Simulation Shoot House with reconfigurable rooms, which permits advanced tactical training both for the public and local law enforcement. A six-tier membership program, which includes a youth membership, accommodates a variety of budgets and training frequency, while a busy calendar of classes, special events and friendly shooting games keep customers coming through the door. A fully stocked pro shop does a brisk business.

“When clients enter the retail shop, firing ranges or training center, we want them to immediately notice both the staff and facility demonstrate our core value of the highest level of care,” Bastean said. “Ultimate Defense Firing Range and Training Center is very proud of our NSSF Five-Star status, which confirms our commitment to the shooting community.”

NSSF’s highly respected Star-Rating Range Program works to encourage ranges of all sizes and locations to excel. Applying for rating requires answering a comprehensive questionnaire and business owner self-evaluation of the facilities, staff, community outreach and other criteria. Ranges that appear to meet the criteria for Four- or Five-Star rating receive an on-site evaluation by NSSF staff. NSSF member ranges that meet a Three-Star rating are recognized for being a part of the Star-Rating range family and are provided guidance to improve their facilities and achieve the higher two ratings. For more information, including instructions on how to apply for NSSF’s Star-Rating Range Program, contact Zach Snow at zsnow@nssf.org.

About NSSF

The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 12,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.