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Thief: Difference between revisions

From Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games
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Thief (1981) was director Michael Mann's debut theatrical release. It starred James Caan as Frank, a jewel thief. Mann, director of other famous films such as [[Heat]] and [[Collateral]] is known for his attention to detail, especially in firearms. He is supposedly a certified range instructor himself, but for this film, he and actor Caan attended classes at Gunsite, a renowned firearms training facility. The story goes that they trained in the "Modern Combat  
Thief (1981) was director Michael Mann's debut theatrical release. It starred James Caan as Frank, a jewel thief. Mann, director of other famous films such as [[Heat]] and [[Collateral]] is known for his attention to detail, especially in firearms. He is supposedly a certified range instructor himself, but for this film, he and actor Caan attended classes at Gunsite, a renowned firearms training facility. The story goes that they trained in the "Modern Combat  
Technique," until Jeff Cooper (founder of Gunsite, and the Technique) learned who Mann's film protagonist was (a criminal). Cooper insisted that a thief would never be allowed to learn the Modern Technique and refused to continue instruction. Allegedly, Chuck Taylor, Cooper's Operations Manager at the time (and a well-known instructor himself), then decided to take them off-site and teach them the methods you see on film.
Technique," until Jeff Cooper (founder of Gunsite, and the technique) learned who Mann's film protagonist was (a criminal). Cooper insisted that a thief would never be allowed to learn the Modern Technique and refused to continue instruction. Allegedly, Chuck Taylor, Cooper's operations manager at the time (and a well-known instructor himself), then decided to take them off-site and teach them the methods you see on film.


Caan's training is obvious, as he uses an exaggerated Weaver Stance, high thumbhold grip, speed reloading, and room clearing techniques directly attributable to the Modern Combat Technique.     
Caan's training is obvious, as he uses an exaggerated Weaver Stance, high thumbhold grip, speed reloading, and room clearing techniques directly attributable to the Modern Combat Technique.     

Revision as of 07:05, 4 June 2009

The following guns were used in the movie Thief

File:Thief dvdfront.jpg

Thief (1981) was director Michael Mann's debut theatrical release. It starred James Caan as Frank, a jewel thief. Mann, director of other famous films such as Heat and Collateral is known for his attention to detail, especially in firearms. He is supposedly a certified range instructor himself, but for this film, he and actor Caan attended classes at Gunsite, a renowned firearms training facility. The story goes that they trained in the "Modern Combat Technique," until Jeff Cooper (founder of Gunsite, and the technique) learned who Mann's film protagonist was (a criminal). Cooper insisted that a thief would never be allowed to learn the Modern Technique and refused to continue instruction. Allegedly, Chuck Taylor, Cooper's operations manager at the time (and a well-known instructor himself), then decided to take them off-site and teach them the methods you see on film.

Caan's training is obvious, as he uses an exaggerated Weaver Stance, high thumbhold grip, speed reloading, and room clearing techniques directly attributable to the Modern Combat Technique.

Customized Longslide M1911A1

One of the guns used by the main character, Frank (James Caan) is reportedly a 6" longslide M1911A1 pistol customized by California gunsmith Jim Hoag. Looking closely at the long vertical cutout on the skeletonized trigger, the pistol is most likely a Colt Gold Cup National Match, with the slide lengthening, Bo-Mar adjustable rear sights and beavertail grip safety added by Hoag. If this pistol is indeed a Gold Cup, then it is presumably chambered in .45 ACP.

File:Caan in thief.jpg
Frank (James Caan) with his Hoag 6" longslide M1911A1
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Best view of Frank's (James Caan) longslide M1911A1
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Frank (James Caan) does a speed reload with his longslide M1911A1
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Another view of Frank (James Caan) speed reloading his longslide M1911A1