If you’ve lived in the Mon Valley or spent any time driving through the industrial corridors of Western Pennsylvania, you know the name. Anthony Arms West Mifflin wasn’t just a store. For decades, it was a landmark. It sat right there on Lebanon Church Road, a massive, fortress-like building that served as the epicenter for local hunters, sport shooters, and people just looking for a bit of home defense.
But things changed.
If you drive past that spot today, you won’t see the same bustling parking lot. You won't see the same signs. The story of what happened to this local institution is actually a bit of a tangled mess involving business shifts, regulatory pressure, and the eventual transition into what is now Range 54. It's a local saga that mirrors a lot of what’s happening in the firearms industry across the United States.
Why the Name Anthony Arms Still Rings a Bell
For the uninitiated, Anthony Arms was massive. We're talking about a facility that, at its peak, housed one of the largest inventories of firearms in the tri-state area. It wasn't just about the retail side, though. People went there for the indoor range. In a climate like Pittsburgh’s—where it’s either pouring rain, freezing, or humid enough to melt your skin—having a climate-controlled place to practice was a big deal.
Honestly, the shop had a reputation that was... well, let's call it "mixed."
Some guys swore by it. They loved the selection. You could walk in and find stuff that smaller shops simply couldn't stock. Others? They’ll tell you stories about the customer service being a bit brusque. It had that old-school gun shop vibe where if you didn't know exactly what you were looking for, the guys behind the counter might not have had the patience to walk you through it. It was a "pro" shop in every sense of the word, for better or worse.
The Regulatory Heat and the ATF
You can't talk about Anthony Arms West Mifflin without mentioning the legal side of things. Around 2012 and 2013, the store started making headlines for reasons that weren't great for business. Federal authorities, specifically the ATF, were looking closely at their books.
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Now, look. Running a gun store is a paperwork nightmare. One digit wrong on a Form 4473 and you're in hot water. But for Anthony Arms, it went a bit deeper. There were allegations regarding record-keeping and how certain transactions were handled. The store actually faced a license revocation. This wasn't a small "slap on the wrist" situation; it was a fundamental threat to the business’s existence.
This is where the transition started to happen. When a legacy business like that gets hit with federal scrutiny, they usually have two choices: fight it out until the lights go off, or restructure and sell.
From Anthony Arms to Range 54
Eventually, the Anthony Arms era came to a close. The building didn't stay empty for long, though. It was a prime piece of real estate with a pre-built range infrastructure—something that is incredibly hard to get permitted in 2026.
Enter Range 54.
When the new management took over, they had a mountain to climb. They had to distance themselves from the baggage of the old name while keeping the customer base that had been coming to that location for thirty years. They did a lot of work on the interior. They modernized the range. They changed the "vibe."
If you go in there now, it feels less like a dusty warehouse and more like a modern training facility. They’ve leaned heavily into the "education" side of things. They offer CCW classes, women-only shooting nights, and basic safety courses. It’s a smarter business move. The modern gun owner isn't always the guy in camo who has been shooting since he was five. Often, it's a first-time buyer who is nervous and needs guidance. Range 54 figured out that being "approachable" pays the bills better than being "intimidating."
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Transition
A common misconception in West Mifflin is that the old owners are still running the show behind a different name. Basically, people think it was just a "rebrand" to dodge the ATF.
That’s not really how it works.
While some staff might have bridged the gap, the ownership and the Federal Firearms License (FFL) are distinct entities. You can't just slap a new sticker on the door and keep the old license if the ATF has revoked it. The transition to Range 54 represented a hard reset for that location.
The Layout: What’s Actually Inside?
The building is still divided into two main components that define the experience.
- The Retail Floor: It’s still huge. They carry everything from high-end precision rifles to the standard Glock/Sig Sauer handguns that everyone wants for EDC (Every Day Carry).
- The Range: This is the heart of the facility. It features multiple lanes with electronic target carriers. They allow most handgun calibers and even certain rifle calibers, provided you're using their specific ammo requirements or your ammo meets their safety check.
One thing that hasn't changed? The location. Being right near the Allegheny County Airport and the Century III area (which, let’s be honest, is a ghost town of its own these days) makes it super accessible. Even with the mall dying a slow death across the street, the range stays busy because it’s a "destination" business. People travel from all over the South Hills to get there.
Addressing the Elephant in the Room: Safety and Incidents
Anytime you have a high-volume gun range and shop, you’re going to have incidents. It’s the nature of the beast. Over the years, the West Mifflin location has seen its share of accidents and, unfortunately, more tragic events that often plague public ranges.
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Management at Range 54 has had to be incredibly strict about RSOs (Range Safety Officers). If you go there today, you’ll notice they are much more "on it" than the old days. They watch the line like hawks. If you’re flagrant with your muzzle or acting like an idiot, they will kick you out. Honestly, that’s a good thing. A range is only as safe as the least experienced person there, and the current iteration of the shop seems to take that very seriously.
Why This Matters for the Mon Valley
West Mifflin is a community that has seen a lot of change. From the steel mills to the retail boom of the 80s, to the current state of flux. Anthony Arms West Mifflin was a piece of that history. It represented a specific culture—blue-collar, self-reliant, and fiercely protective of the Second Amendment.
The fact that the facility survived in a new form says a lot about the demand for firearms education in Pennsylvania. It’s not just about "buying a gun." It’s about having a place to learn how to use it responsibly.
How to Navigate Your Visit Today
If you’re planning on heading down to the old Anthony Arms spot (now Range 54), here’s the reality of what you should expect:
- Bring Your ID: No exceptions. They are under a microscope, so don't expect them to slide on the rules.
- Check the Ammo Rules: Don't just show up with a bucket of reloads and expect to shoot them. Most ranges in the area, this one included, have specific rules about steel-core or "hot" loads that can damage their backstop.
- Expect a Wait: On Saturdays, it’s packed. If you can sneak away on a Tuesday afternoon, you’ll have the place to yourself.
- Look for Deals: They often have a "consignment" section or used rack. This is where the real value is. You can sometimes find older Smith & Wesson revolvers or police trade-ins that are built like tanks for half the price of a new plastic striker-fired gun.
The Bottom Line on the Legacy
The name Anthony Arms is slowly fading into local lore, replaced by the modern, sleeker branding of its successor. But for those who spent years browsing those aisles, it will always be the "big shop in West Mifflin." Whether you’re a collector, a competitor, or someone just looking for their first home defense tool, the history of this location is a reminder of how businesses must evolve or die in the face of regulatory and cultural shifts.
Actionable Next Steps for Shooters
If you're looking to visit or buy, do these things first:
- Verify the FFL Status: If you are shipping a firearm to this location for a transfer, ensure you have their most current FFL info. Don't rely on old "Anthony Arms" paperwork you might find online.
- Take a Class: Instead of just punching holes in paper, look at their calendar for a "Stop the Bleed" or basic holster draw class. It changes the way you view the hobby.
- Check the Inventory Online: Most modern shops, including Range 54, keep a semi-accurate inventory on their website. Save yourself the drive if they don't have that specific Kalashnikov or niche optic you're hunting for.
- Support Local: While big-box stores like Cabela’s or Bass Pro are fine, the local West Mifflin shops are the ones that actually know the local laws and can help you navigate the specific PA LTCF (License to Carry Firearms) process.
The era of Anthony Arms is over, but the facility remains a cornerstone of the Western PA shooting community. It’s a different world now—more regulated, more corporate, but ultimately, much more focused on the safety and education of the person behind the trigger.