Q: When will we see new episodes on Shooting USA featuring more of your "Impossible Shots?"

Bob Munden: Executive Producer Jim Scoutten recently told us that new episodes will begin airing in September. We expect the Shooting USA production crew to be here again this Fall to do more taping for the 2009 season. I'm busy trying to think up new, crazy shots!

Q: Heard you hurt your ankle and had surgery. Are you okay?

Bob Munden: I injured my ankle in 2006 when I tipped my Harley (Heritage Soft Tail) on gravel, but I didn’t hurt the bike! I had a doctor take a look at my ankle because it was ripped up pretty bad, but I did not spend any time in the hospital. I heard some people were saying that I was at death’s door after crashing my bike, so I guess I should put those rumors to rest. I simply tipped on a gravel driveway and my foot slid on the same gravel and caught my ankle as the bike went over. My ankle healed up just fine, though I was in some pain for a while, including during taping (2006) for the 2007 segments for Shooting USA. It didn’t stop me though. I just refused to limp when the camera was rolling! When the time came to shoot for the 2008 season, I felt great and was SMOKIN'! The only other issue is that for quite some time I had neck pain along with a weakened left arm and fanning hand. Turns out I had pinched nerves in my neck. I got that taken care of with major surgery 2007. Thanks to the good work by my neurosurgeon, and stubbornness on my part, I got my voice back 100% and re-trained my muscles for fanning Fast Draw — and I’m still pretty.

Q: What do you mean when you say you offer to 'hone the forcing cone' when you do gun work?

Bob Munden:  The forcing cone is an extremely important part of the accuracy of the gun. The forcing cone is a funnel opening at the back of the barrel that allows the bullet to enter the barrel. If the forcing cone has tooling grooves from the factory left behind from machining, as the bullet squeezes through that opening, lead will be left behind on those tool markings and will build up on one side of the barrel or the other, even completely around sometimes, affecting your accuracy. Also, it is important to make sure the cone is perfectly round. If the cone is distorted at all, which is very common in stock guns, that will also affect your accuracy. When I talk about honing the forcing cone, I am talking about both eliminating machining grooves where lead builds up, and making sure the cone is perfectly round for optimum performance.

Q: I have an Italian copy of a Colt. Do you work on those?

Bob Munden:  I do action and trigger work on Rugers, Colts, Italian Colt copies and other single-action models in center-fire calibers and some .22s. I also work on Smith & Wesson DA revolvers, Marlin rifles, Stoeger shotguns and Bond derringers.

Q: Why would I need custom action work on my new revolver?

Bob Munden:  All new (stock) guns need custom action and trigger work. The manufacturer makes guns that work. That's it. Custom work up-grades the stock gun for extended use and enables the user to shoot better and more consistently, with a gun that has a smooth, finely-tuned action and a crisp trigger pull. Your valued guns will last much longer with my custom work.

Q: What is the coolest thing you do on the new DVD?

Bob Munden:  I do all kinds of creative and difficult shooting on the Bob Munden -- The Collector's Edition DVD, but if you are talking about all-out cool or crazy, I think it is when I entered the 1995 Bianchi Cup using a .45-caliber Colt, single-action revolver with fixed iron sights. Anyone who knows anything about high-tech combat shooting will appreciate the absurdity of taking on that match with a cowboy gun -- but I did it for the challenge! The  18-minute, special bonus feature on the DVD includes footage of me competing in the Bianchi Cup, with me doing audio commentary as I go along.

Q: My gun does not shoot center. Can you fix it?

Bob Munden:  Yes. I have a barrel vise which enables me to turn the frame to adjust your gun if it is shooting left or right. If it is shooting low, I use a diamond wheel to cut the front sight down to bring the gun up to point of impact.

Q: How do you think up your exhibition shots that you do on television?

Bob Munden:  I have always enjoyed adding spice to my shooting by thinking up different challenges. Just punching paper gets boring. People seem to like seemingly impossible accuracy, fast, long-distance and aerial shooting. Inventing variations on these challenges is constantly on my mind. Sometimes I receive suggestions from friends, family and fans. Sometimes I literally "dream it up."

Q: Which is faster, thumbing or fanning?

Bob Munden:  First of all, don't EVER Fast Draw from a holster using live ammunition. It is extremely dangerous. Don't try it even once. Which is faster? Fanning is definitely faster because it can be done in one burst of speed. When the gun is gripped, the trigger is depressed and held and the gun is drawn at the same time the fanning hand brushes the hammer back to the firing position. True thumbing, like in the western movies, involves two motions -- cocking the hammer with the thumb while the gun is still in the holster, then leveling and firing at waist level.

Q: How often do you practice?

Bob Munden:  Well, at one time, I practiced in my mind and with my gun just about every waking hour. But now I work on many, many guns for customers, and perform shooting exhibitions around the country, so I really don't have much time to practice. Also I live in Montana where the winters sometimes get kinda cold. But if I develop a hitch in my shooting, I will load up and work out that hitch, cold or no cold.

Q: What kind of single action revolver should I buy to compete in Cowboy Action Shooting?

Bob Munden:  If you can afford it, buy a Colt Army. It was the original. It more than holds its value and it is the best. If you can't get a Colt, buy the new Ruger Vaquero, which is the most reliable of any of the single actions because it comes with an all-coil spring system that will never break. Another option is to buy a Colt copy. I can install my all-coil spring system in a Colt or in copies (clones) including Uberti, AWA, Great Western II, EMF, Cimarron, Cabela's, Beretta Stampede, Navy Arms and others. Whatever you buy, I can make it sing.


Have more questions? Contact Munden Enterprises online or by phone at 406-494-2833 (8am- 8pm MST.)

WARNING: DO NOT EVER FAST DRAW WITH LIVE AMMUNITION. NOT EVEN ONCE. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.