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What about The Range
A Vision Born from Community and Commitment
When we opened Mountain West Firearms, our vision was never to simply sell guns. Our purpose has always been broader—to serve as a cornerstone for responsible firearm ownership, education, and training in Western North Carolina. From the start, we knew our long-term goal was to build an indoor shooting range—a modern, safe, and welcoming environment where the community could train, learn, and sharpen their skills.
When the opportunity arose in April to occupy our current retail location at 1484 Charlotte Highway, we saw it as a stepping stone. The building became a place to introduce ourselves to the community, establish relationships with manufacturers, and test our systems. That move has proven invaluable. We’ve since formed partnerships with some of the most respected names in the firearms industry, including Sons of Liberty Gun Works, Henry Repeating Arms, and Urban Carry. Each new partnership reflects our mission to bring top-quality firearms, accessories, and education to the people of Western North Carolina.
Yet, our retail store was always intended to be a starting point, not the destination. The next phase of our mission is to deliver a state-of-the-art indoor shooting range—a facility unlike anything currently available in this region.
Why Western North Carolina Needs a Modern Range
Those who live in Western North Carolina know that the local shooting community is active and growing. However, access to safe, modern, and comfortable indoor ranges has not kept pace with that growth. Many local shooters find themselves traveling long distances or waiting for available range time due to limited capacity. Others are discouraged by outdated facilities that lack proper air filtration, lighting, and technology.
Our goal is to change that. The Mountain West indoor range will not only meet but exceed the expectations of today’s shooters. It will feature digital target systems, clean air technology, and training resources that make shooting safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable.
We envision a space where both experienced shooters and beginners feel equally welcome. Women, families, and first-time firearm owners will find an atmosphere built around respect, education, and empowerment. No one should ever feel intimidated walking into a range. Whether you’re refining your marksmanship or learning how to safely handle a firearm for the first time, this facility will be designed for you.
Building a Facility for the Future
The concept for our range began taking shape about a year and a half ago. My wife Jennifer—who has been my partner in every sense of the word—was the one who first insisted that our business include a range. Her intuition was right. Across the country, the most successful firearm retailers are those that pair retail operations with modern, safe indoor ranges.
To bring our vision to life, we began by attending the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Retailer and Range Expo in West Palm Beach, Florida. That event opened our eyes to the possibilities of what a next-generation range could offer. From cutting-edge air filtration systems to interactive target technologies, the innovations on display made it clear that the future of firearms training lies in combining technology, safety, and community engagement.
What stood out most to us was the level of investment required to build a truly world-class facility. In a modern range, ventilation is just as important as target technology. In fact, the cost of air-handling systems often rivals the cost of the range equipment itself. These systems don’t just clear the air; they protect the health of shooters and staff alike by capturing and filtering lead particles and combustion gases.
Our goal is to install an advanced HEPA-filtered air circulation system that will ensure shooters breathe clean air, free from contaminants. Air will be pulled downrange, filtered, and exhausted outside the building without releasing harmful particulates into the environment. This commitment to environmental and personal safety sets our range apart from older facilities.
The Design and Experience
The facility we envision will feature first-class digital range equipment capable of providing dynamic training experiences. Our systems will be programmable for “shoot/no-shoot” drills, target rotation, and skill progression. These features will make the range ideal not only for recreational shooters but also for law enforcement, security professionals, and competitive marksmen seeking realistic, scenario-based training.
Lighting, acoustics, and comfort will also play key roles in the design. A well-lit, temperature-controlled environment enhances focus and enjoyment. We want to ensure that anyone who visits feels at ease, whether they’re sighting in a new rifle or taking a beginner’s class.
We also plan to include classroom space for training and safety courses, private bays for instruction and skill development, and lounge areas for members to relax and connect. This won’t just be a shooting range—it will be a hub for the firearms community in Western North Carolina.
Challenges Along the Way
As with any major project, turning this vision into reality has not been without its challenges. After months of planning and site evaluations, we identified what appeared to be the perfect location near the intersection of Interstate 40 and U.S. 74A—a high-visibility site just down the road from our retail store. The property, 1.6 acres in size, had been on the market for more than a decade.
We entered into a purchase option agreement that allowed us time to perform due diligence—geotechnical studies, site planning, and initial architectural designs—while giving the seller a fair financial incentive for delaying the closing. Each month that passed added to the purchase price, ensuring the seller was compensated for their patience as we worked through the process.
During this time, we invested heavily in professional assessments and concept drawings. Our architects produced renderings that brought the range to life, and visitors to our store could see the excitement in those early designs.
But large-scale projects like this one require significant investment. Between the land, the building, the range equipment, and the air-handling systems, the total project cost is expected to exceed eight million dollars. Raising that kind of capital requires careful planning, legal compliance, and community engagement.
Funding the Dream: How the Process Works
Many people have asked how projects like ours are financed. In the United States, businesses like ours can raise funds either through public offerings—which are highly regulated and intended for large-scale corporations—or through private offerings, which allow companies to raise money from accredited investors under what’s known as an exempt offering.
Working with a skilled attorney, we developed the necessary Private Placement Memorandum (PPM), a legal document required by both federal and state securities laws. This allows investors to review the business plan, understand the risks and rewards, and participate in the project if they choose.
We also wanted to ensure this project wasn’t just for large investors. One of our goals was to create a community investment opportunity, allowing smaller investors to participate as “founding members.” These individuals would help bring the range to life and enjoy exclusive benefits once it opened, including membership privileges and early access.
We were on the cusp of launching this equity campaign in the final quarter of 2025. Unfortunately, just as our materials were being finalized, we received notice that another buyer had made a competing offer on the property we had under contract.
A Setback, Not a Defeat
When we reviewed the offer, it became clear that the competing buyer had obtained a copy of our contract terms and used them to craft a nearly identical offer, matching our escalated purchase price but proposing an immediate close. The seller, naturally, preferred the quicker deal.
Under the terms of our agreement, we had ten days to exercise our purchase option, which required posting an additional $125,000 in non-refundable earnest money and closing within 30 days. With that kind of deadline, it was simply not feasible to secure and commit investor funds responsibly.
In the end, we had to let the property go. It was a difficult decision—after all the planning, studies, and investment, we knew that location would have been ideal. But one setback does not end a mission.
Staying the Course
Losing that parcel hasn’t changed our commitment. In fact, it’s strengthened our resolve to find the right location for Western North Carolina’s premier indoor range. We continue to explore new opportunities along U.S. 74A, Hendersonville Road, and the Fletcher area, as well as sites outside of Buncombe County. Many have suggested that locating the facility outside of the City of Asheville could make permitting and construction more efficient, and that’s advice we are taking seriously.
We remain confident that the right site will present itself. In the meantime, our retail store continues to serve as the hub for our operations. We’ve expanded our inventory, established partnerships with major manufacturers, and built a reputation for professionalism, expertise, and community service.
A Facility for Everyone
When the range opens, it will be more than just a place to shoot. It will be a community space for education, training, and camaraderie. We want new shooters to feel just as welcome as seasoned enthusiasts. Women and families will find an environment built around safety, respect, and empowerment.
We also plan to host training programs, from basic firearm safety to advanced defensive shooting. Our goal is to promote responsible ownership and ensure every participant leaves our facility more confident and capable than when they arrived.
Additionally, we hope to provide law enforcement and private security professionals with access to high-quality facilities for ongoing training and certification. Proper training not only saves lives but also builds public trust in the responsible use of firearms.
Looking Ahead
Projects of this magnitude take time, but great things are worth the wait. We’re targeting an opening timeline of 18 to 24 months, depending on site selection, financing, and permitting. Our team continues to work diligently behind the scenes, and we will keep our community informed every step of the way.
For those who have already expressed interest in investing, we will reach out directly with updates and opportunities as the process moves forward. We are deeply grateful for the enthusiasm, encouragement, and patience our customers have shown.
At Mountain West Firearms, we see this range as more than a business venture—it’s a contribution to the safety, skill, and spirit of our community. Western North Carolina deserves a first-class facility, and we intend to build it.
Conclusion
Our journey toward building an indoor shooting range has had its share of hurdles, but our vision remains unwavering. We will continue to move forward—carefully, strategically, and with the support of a community that believes in what we’re doing.
Mountain West Firearms is here to stay. Our team will keep growing, our store will keep serving, and our commitment to building a modern, inclusive, and safe training environment for the people of Western North Carolina will never waver.
If you know of potential properties or opportunities that could fit our project, we invite you to reach out. Together, we can make this vision a reality.
