About Shot Tec
More Than a Gun Store. More Than a Training Center.
Whether you’re buying your first firearm or your fiftieth, your experience matters to us.
We’re here to answer your questions, help you make informed decisions, and provide the training and support you need—without pressure, intimidation, or judgment.
Located in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, Shot Tec, LLC is a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL), firearms training center, and personal defense consulting company serving the Philadelphia Main Line and surrounding communities.
We believe responsible firearms ownership starts with education, continues through training, and is strengthened by having knowledgeable professionals you can trust.
From first-time firearm owners to experienced shooters, families, and security professionals, we provide personalized instruction, honest guidance, and practical solutions tailored to your individual needs.
At Shot Tec, you’re more than a transaction. You’re a relationship we value.
A Different Approach to Firearms Training
Traditional firearms training often begins at a shooting range. At Shot Tec, we believe there’s a better place to start.
Our advanced Ti Training VRG Pro firearms simulation system allows customers to develop essential skills in a controlled environment without live ammunition.
Using realistic, laser-enabled training firearms with simulated recoil, students can practice marksmanship fundamentals, firearm handling, situational awareness, and decision-making through interactive scenarios.
Unlike a traditional shooting range, our private training environment allows you to learn at your own pace, ask questions freely, and develop confidence without the noise, distractions, or pressure of live-fire training.
We also offer live-fire instruction for those looking to build upon their skills.
Our approach emphasizes more than marksmanship. We focus on responsible decision-making, threat recognition, de-escalation, and understanding the legal and ethical responsibilities associated with firearms ownership.
Our goal isn’t simply to teach you how to shoot. It’s to help you develop the knowledge, judgment, and confidence to make responsible decisions.
More Than Training. A Complete Firearms Resource.
Shot Tec provides a comprehensive range of services designed to support customers throughout their firearms ownership journey.
Our services include:
- Private Firearms Training: Individual, couples, and family instruction for beginners through experienced shooters, including defensive training and scenario-based simulation.
- Firearms Sales & Personal Shopping: Personalized recommendations and assistance selecting firearms suited to your needs, experience, and preferences.
- FFL Transfers & Special Orders: Professional firearms transfer services, purchases, and special orders.
- Gunsmithing & Firearm Maintenance: Professional cleaning, troubleshooting, repairs, modifications, and maintenance education.
- Custom Holsters & Accessories: Personalized holster solutions and equipment recommendations.
- Home Defense Consultations: Individualized guidance on home security, preparedness, and personal protection.
- Community & Organizational Security Training: Security education and preparedness training for houses of worship, organizations, and community groups.
- NFA Services: Assistance with suppressors and other regulated firearms, including fingerprinting and administrative support.
Whether you need help selecting your first firearm, improving your skills, maintaining your equipment, or developing a personal security plan, Shot Tec is here to help.
And our relationship doesn’t end when you leave the store.
We remain available to answer questions, provide continued training, and support your evolving needs.
Our Mission
Making responsible firearms ownership more accessible, approachable, and informed.
Our mission is to provide high-quality firearms education, personalized training, and professional guidance to individuals and families of all experience levels.
By combining advanced simulation technology, real-world experience, and individualized instruction, we strive to create an environment where customers feel comfortable learning, asking questions, and developing practical skills.
We believe responsible firearms ownership requires more than equipment or technical proficiency. It requires education, sound judgment, an understanding of the law, and a commitment to continuous learning.
We measure our success not simply by the firearms we sell or the training sessions we conduct, but by the knowledge, confidence, and preparedness our customers take home.
Meet the Founder & Lead Instructor
Grant Schmidt
Founder | Lead Instructor | Security Professional | Bestselling Author
For Grant Schmidt, founding Shot Tec was about more than opening another firearms business. It was about changing how people experience firearms education, training, and personal defense.
As a Pennsylvania Act 235-certified security professional, Grant brings firsthand experience in armed security and protective operations, including security work with houses of worship and Jewish community organizations.
His experience includes training synagogue administrative personnel and volunteer security teams in preparedness, situational awareness, and emergency response.
These experiences helped shape his philosophy that effective personal defense begins long before a dangerous situation develops.
Awareness, preparation, sound judgment, and the ability to recognize and avoid threats are just as important as technical firearms proficiency.
Before founding Shot Tec, Grant also established himself in the publishing industry.
He served as the ghostwriter behind the New York Times bestselling memoir Crisis of Character, written with former U.S. Secret Service officer Gary Byrne. He subsequently co-authored Secrets of the Secret Service: The History and Uncertain Future of the U.S. Secret Service, examining the history and challenges of one of America’s most recognizable federal protective agencies.
His experience researching complex subjects and communicating them clearly continues to influence his approach to education.
In 2019, Grant founded Shot Tec with a vision of creating a more personalized and approachable firearms training experience.
He recognized that many individuals were underserved by traditional gun stores and shooting ranges. Some were intimidated by conventional training environments, while others wanted more individualized instruction, realistic defensive training, or knowledgeable guidance without sales pressure.
By combining advanced simulation technology with private instruction and personalized service, Grant created an environment where customers could learn comfortably, develop practical skills, and receive honest guidance.
Today, Shot Tec has grown into a comprehensive firearms business offering professional training, firearms sales, gunsmithing, custom holsters, FFL services, and personal security consultations.
Despite that growth, Grant’s founding philosophy remains unchanged:
Every customer deserves to be treated as an individual, every question deserves a thoughtful answer, and every training session should leave someone better prepared than when they arrived.
Why Choose Shot Tec?
Because Your Safety Deserves More Than a Transaction.
At Shot Tec, we believe the best customer relationships are built on trust, education, and exceptional service.
We take the time to understand your needs rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions.
Whether you’re new to firearms, an experienced owner, or simply looking for knowledgeable professionals you can rely on, we’re committed to making your experience welcoming, informative, and worthwhile.
Professional guidance. Personalized service. Training with purpose.
Your Journey Starts Here.
You don’t need experience to get started. Just bring your questions, curiosity, or desire to become better prepared.
Whether you’re interested in firearms training, exploring a purchase, or looking for professional guidance, we’d welcome the opportunity to help.
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