Stories of the Old West are replete with stories of quick-draw cowboys. Men who could get their guns out of the holster and shoot in the blink of an eye. While we can’t go back in time to witness this, we have archives of a more modern, quick draw. A man I believe that few on earth could keep up with. This is the story of Bob Munden.
The Fastest Gun that Ever Lived
Bob Munden is often referred to as the “Fastest Gun Who Ever Lived,” Born on February 8, 1942, in Kansas City, Missouri, Munden gained international fame as a quick-draw artist, exhibition shooter, and firearms expert. His shooting career spanned over six decades. During that time he entertained audiences both young and old. He set world records and earning a reputation as one of the most skilled marksmen in history.
Munden’s shooting career began when he was only 11 years old. Bob competed in Jeff Cooper’s Big Bear “Leatherslaps” shooting competitions with live ammunition at Big Bear Lake, California, in the 1950s. He quickly discovered a natural talent for firearms, particularly single-action revolvers like the Colt Single Action Army. By the time he was a teenager, he competed at a high level and honed his skills. These skills would later make him a legend. Munden’s interest in quick-draw shooting coincided with the rise of “fast draw” as a competitive sport in the 1950s and 60s. Western movies and TV shows inspired these competitions. With natural talent and discipline, It wasn’t long before Munden became one of the sport’s most dominant figures..
Faster Than the Blink of an Eye
While Munden was a great showman, his extraordinary speed set him apart. He could draw, fire, and hit a target in as little as 0.02 seconds using specialized holsters and finely tuned revolvers. As a point of reference, that is faster than the blink of an eye. This ability earned him a place in the Guinness World Records as the “World’s Fastest Gun.” Over his lifetime, Munden held more than 18 world records in fast draw, cementing his status as the best. While he was incredibly fast, he was also accurate. He would often do demonstrations hitting targets such as playing cards, match heads, or even aspirins tossed easily into the air.
World Class Performer
In addition to competition, Munden was a world-class showman. Alongside his wife and partner, Becky, he performed live demonstrations across the United States and worldwide. His demonstrations and shows often featured trick shots, such as splitting a playing card in half edge-on or shooting coins out of midair.
Bob Munden – Modern Quick Draw Master
Beyond the show, Munden was all about discipline and practice. He spent hours practicing and refining his technique. Munden was also a skilled gunsmith and modified his revolvers to fit him. Munden’s contributions to the firearms world extended beyond his performances. He was a teacher and advocate for the firearms industry. He inspired generations of shooters through his demonstrations, interviews, and writings and helped popularize the art of quick draw.
Bob Munden passed away on December 10, 2012, but his legacy remains. His unmatched showmanship and skill brought a positive light to the world of shooting. Bob Munden was a modern-day version of what we think an Old West gunslinger would be. Part flash, but still all business when the time came.
For more information, visit:https://bobmunden.com/