Gunfighters for Hire
Joined Atlas Obscura in 2017
Gunfighters for Hire is a registered non-profit organization, governed by five (5) officers with members comprised of local desert residents performing as old west reenactors.
Gunfighters for Hire was organized in 1999 and is currently comprised of approximately 34 gunfighters, consisting of men, women, and children (related to a regular member). (Please note that any child member under the age of 18 cannot handle or fire a weapon.) Many of the gunfighters are retired law enforcement officers.
Donations are accepted and used solely for the purchase of primers, powder, props and for contributing to charitable organizations. All gunfighters donate their time to each performance. From time to time, Gunfighters for Hire is asked to participate in the making of a movie. For these events, gunfighters are paid on the basis of their performance and a donation is usually made to to recover costs. All firearms and clothing worn by members of are paid by each member. Clothing must adhere to the standards of Gunfighters for Hire and be of a design of the late 1800's, ie. no zippers, no watches worn, no modern glasses/sunglasses worn.
Gunfighters for Hire is located in the Yucca Valley area of San Bernardino County in Southern California, approximately 20 miles north of Palm Springs, California.
Gunfighters for Hire primary objective is to promote gun safety while performing western skits in authentic period firearms and clothing of the 1850's to 1900. Gunfighters for Hire provides donations to other non-profit groups. In the past Gunfighters for Hire has contributed to Ronald McDonald Charities, Angel View Charities, Wounded Warrior Project, American Cancer Society and the Happy Trails Children Foundation, to name a few.
During the shows, actual .44 cal and .45 cal handguns, 12g, 16g and 20g shotguns are used. Safety to the audience and gunfighters are maintained at all times. Safety officers conduct firearm inspections on location prior to each event. Live ammunition, those with a projectile, is prohibited on location. Only blanks containing black powder are used. All blanks are loaded by members of Gunfighters for Hire. When a firearm is discharged, it is done so in a direction away from the audience and at an oblique angle away from a member of Gunfighters for Hire so as to give the impression that a gunfighter is shot. Again, safety is a primary concern.
Pioneertown, California, is located on Pioneertown Road, approximately 4-1/2 miles north of Hwy 62 from Yucca Valley. It is the primary location of performances for Gunfighters for Hire on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month from October through May at 2:30 p.m. on Mane Street. The shows are free and fun for the entire family.
