Thell Reed (Shooter)
Encyclopedia
Thell Reed is an exhibition shooter, specializing in fast draw, who is a consultant to the movie industry, stuntman, armorer
and extra. Thell Reed began his shooting career at seven years of age when his father presented him with a pair of Colt pistols and built for him an indoor range in which to practice.
As a teenager Thell Reed competed in Jeff Cooper's Big Bear "Leatherslaps" shooting competitions at Big Bear Lake
, California
. The Leatherslaps became the "South Western Combat Pistol League" or "SWCPL". Thell Reed competed so successfully that he became one of the six "Combat Masters", so called because they would almost always take the first six places in the competition. Of the six Combat Masters, Thell Reed had the quickest draw.
The Combat Masters were:
After the SWCPL matches Thell Reed went on to compete in fast draw competitions in which he achieved fame. His celebrity gained him entry into the movie industry and he became an advisor to the movie industry on the use of firearms. He trained actors such as Russell Crowe
and Brad Pitt
for acting roles involving the use of pistols.
Weapons master
The weapons master, sometimes credited as the armorer, weapons specialist, weapons handler, weapons wrangler, or weapons coordinator, is a film crew specialist that works with the property master, director, actors and script supervisor...
and extra. Thell Reed began his shooting career at seven years of age when his father presented him with a pair of Colt pistols and built for him an indoor range in which to practice.
As a teenager Thell Reed competed in Jeff Cooper's Big Bear "Leatherslaps" shooting competitions at Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake is a reservoir in the San Bernardino Mountains, in San Bernardino County, California, United States. At a surface elevation of , it has an east-west length of approximately 7 miles and is approximately 2.5 miles at its widest measurement, though the lake's width mostly averages a...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The Leatherslaps became the "South Western Combat Pistol League" or "SWCPL". Thell Reed competed so successfully that he became one of the six "Combat Masters", so called because they would almost always take the first six places in the competition. Of the six Combat Masters, Thell Reed had the quickest draw.
The Combat Masters were:
- Jack WeaverWeaver stanceThe Weaver stance is a popular technique for firing handguns. It was developed by Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff Jack Weaver during freestyle pistol competition in Southern California during the late 1950s.- Description :...
- John Plähn
- Elden Carl
- Ray Chapman
- Thell Reed
- Jeff Cooper
After the SWCPL matches Thell Reed went on to compete in fast draw competitions in which he achieved fame. His celebrity gained him entry into the movie industry and he became an advisor to the movie industry on the use of firearms. He trained actors such as Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe
Russell Ira Crowe is a New Zealander Australian actor , film producer and musician. He came to international attention for his role as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in the 2000 historical epic film Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor, a...
and Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt
William Bradley "Brad" Pitt is an American actor and film producer. Pitt has received two Academy Award nominations and four Golden Globe Award nominations, winning one...
for acting roles involving the use of pistols.