MK Airsoft to open 70,000-square-foot facility in Clarksburg (West Virginia) Saturday

Owner Gabriel Schuster said he feels more prepared than ever for this opening, thanks to improved financial backing and experience from previous launches.

“This is actually the most ready we’ve ever been,” he said. “This is our fourth location, so we’ve gotten pretty good at knowing what to do and what code enforcement will look for. We also had more financing this time, so we were able to buy more materials and make the facility look nicer. Our shop is fully stocked with 71 rifles on opening day, which we’ve never had before.”

Schuster said that he was not specifically seeking Clarksburg as a location but was searching for a building that met his criteria — over 50,000 square feet, at least 20-foot ceilings, and a dedicated office area with central heating and cooling.

“I found this building, and the owner had it on the market for three years with no real offers,” he said. “They had it listed pretty low, so I made an offer with seller financing. We were able to purchase the whole building with no money down, just escrow fees of about $5,000. It was an amazing deal.”

After visiting Clarksburg and neighboring Bridgeport, Schuster saw potential in the area for an airsoft field.

MK Airsoft’s new facility ranks as the second-largest indoor airsoft field in the United States, surpassed only by a 120,000-square-foot facility in California, according to Schuster.

“As of right now, I have the largest indoor field in West Virginia and Ohio,” Schuster said. “Our Willard, Ohio, location is 40,000 square feet, and now we have this one in Clarksburg at 70,000 square feet.”

The facility offers several play areas, each with a unique theme. The “Spaceland” section features vibrant colors and buildings named after space-related landmarks, while the “Medieval Forest” includes a castle and period-appropriate structures.

Another area, “Training Center,” is designed for tactical gameplay and law enforcement training, featuring two-story buildings, cars, and mock roadways.

The facility welcomes players ages 12 and older, with safety precautions in place, including mandatory digital waivers and a required safety video.

Entry for all-day play on Saturdays and Sundays is $35 for those with their own equipment. Rentals, which include a gun, mask and ammunition, cost $65. Starting next week on Tuesdays and Fridays, entry is $20, with rentals priced at $50.

“Every game is monitored by referees, and we offer 37 different game modes to keep the experience exciting,” Schuster said.

Beyond recreational play, MK Airsoft aims to serve law enforcement agencies by offering training space at $100 per hour during weekdays.

“We’ve had police departments, SWAT teams, U.S. Marshals, Secret Service and drone operators use our facilities for training,” Schuster said. “We don’t train them, but we provide the space, including a large bay door so they can bring vehicles inside for traffic stop training.”

Schuster said he is most excited about the grand opening raffle, where the facility will give away up to 10 airsoft guns and various accessories.

“It’s just fun to give people things and add to the excitement of the day,” he said. “Hopefully, we’ll see a great turnout from the community.”

While the announcement came on short notice due to the timing of final inspections, Schuster said he is optimistic about attendance.

“We had to open quickly to start recouping some of our investment,” he said. “But I think it’ll be interesting to see who shows up.”

Schuster said that owning the building, rather than leasing, gives MK Airsoft long-term stability, unlike some other airsoft fields that have closed due to rising rental costs.

“This is the first location we’ve fully purchased,” he said. “With a fixed mortgage, no one can raise our rent. We’re here for the long run.”

In addition to gameplay, MK Airsoft will operate a fully stocked shop with BBs, tracer units, flashlights, masks, tactical gear and airsoft guns.

A longtime airsoft player, Schuster believes his experience gives him an edge in running the business.

“I’ve been playing for 22 years,” he said. “Many airsoft field owners are either businesspeople with no airsoft knowledge or players who don’t understand business. I fall right in the middle, which I think is why we’ve been successful.”

While MK Airsoft has expanded rapidly in four years, Schuster said he has no immediate plans for further expansion.

“We have a huge investment in this place — about $1.3 million between the building and materials,” he said. “It’s going to take time to recoup that, so for now, we’re focused on making this facility the best it can be.”

MK Airsoft officially opens its doors this weekend, with operations set to run Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The facility is located at 624 Armory Road.