All About Harry Reeves

by
posted on March 24, 2021
reeves-1.jpg

Harry Reeves took to pistol shooting as the proverbial duck to water. Three years after first firing a pistol (as a Marine recruit) he won the Individual Navy Championship in the first match he entered. He didn't stop there; he was the first person to break the 2600 mark in the bullseye pistol three-gun aggregate (.22, center-fire and .45). In 1940, it was a stratospheric accomplishment—equivalent to breaking the four-minute mile. Between 1940 and 1954, Reeves won six National Pistol Championships and 15 medals (including five gold medals) in International Pistol competition.

Reeves enlisted in the Marine Corps during the Great Depression. One of his shooting companions was Capt. David Shoup, who showed Reeves his first set of match pistols (.22 LR, .38 Spl. and .45 ACP). (Shoup would become commandant of the Marine Corps and Pistol Distinguished.)

In 1937, Reeves joined the Detroit, Mich., Police Department, where he quickly established himself on the pistol team. He retired from the Detroit Police Department in 1964 as an Inspector.

The February 1947 issue of American Rifleman described his equipment. It was classic for the day: Colt Woodsman for .22 matches, .38 Spl., Colt Officers Model for center-fire and a Model 1911 .45 ACP. All had been tuned up in one way or another, and all had grips by fellow Detroit policeman Lew Sanderson. Harry Reeves retired from competition in 1964 and served as a team official on the 1968 and 1972 Olympic shooting teams.

Harry Reeves

Harry Reeves
b. December 3, 1908 – d. February 5, 2001


Read more: All About Charles Bayard Lister

Latest

Presentationprocess 1
Presentationprocess 1

How To Improve Grip With The Presentation Process

Lock the gun in place with a better grip and more predictable index—every time.

Camp Freedom Is Making A Difference For Disabled Veterans With Free Outdoor Adventures

A non-profit 501(c)(3), Pennsylvania’s Camp Freedom provides free outdoor adventures for disabled veterans, first responders, their families and Gold Star families.

Results: 2023 Daisy National BB Gun Championship

At the 56th annual Daisy BB Gun Nationals in Arkansas this past July, the team and individual champions earned their titles.

Camdyn Powers Secures Ladies Runner-Up Title At 2023 IPRF Rimfire World Championship

Powers landed in 12th place overall on the 2023 International Precision Rifle Federation Rimfire World Championship leaderboard, as well as second place in Ladies class.

Command Sgt. Maj. Steven Slee On Winning: ‘It Has To Do With Goal Setting’

A triple-distinguished shooter, Command Sgt. Maj. Steven Slee continues to find success in his lifelong passion.

Taming The “Jungle Carbine”

Reduced power loads for Enfield “jungle carbines” with shortened barrels.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.