All About Thurman Randle

by
posted on August 30, 2020
thurman-randle-1.jpg

Thurman Randle, a Dallas, Texas, sporting goods dealer was a dominant figure in smallbore shooting in the 1930s and 1940s. An eight-time Dewar Team member, he was always a contender in any match he entered.

Thurman Randle at Camp Perry
In 1933, Randle fired three perfect 400 scores over the Dewar Course at the Camp Perry National Smallbore Tournament.


He entered the Navy in 1942 with the rank of lieutenant commander. Assigned to the Newport Naval Training Station, Randle commanded a staff of junior officers—all NRA members—who were among the 300 small arms instructors selected by or recruited from the NRA during World War II.

A member of the NRA Board of Directors, from 1944 to 1946, Randle served as president of the organization. Notably, during his time as NRA president, Randle was still on active military service. In addition, he presented the Randle Women's International Team Trophy to the NRA in 1952. This trophy is contested annually by teams consisting of 10 firing members, two alternates, coach and captain—all of whom must be women—over the Dewar course-of-fire with metallic sights.

Thurman Randle's Winchester Model 1952 rifle
Randle nicknamed his Winchester Model 52 bolt-action rifle “Ol’ Bacon Gitter” after using it to win a pig in a competition. He later re-barreled the gun in stainless steel, only to discover later on that bright sunlight would reflect off the surface, making it difficult to maintain a good sight picture. Painting the barrel black proved to be an adequate fix. (Photo courtesy NRA National Firearms Museum.)


Randle's 1927-vintage Winchester Model 52 ("Ol' Bacon Gitter") is currently on display at the National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, Va. Additionally, Randle is also memorialized in the annual firing of the Randle Doubles and Mentor Match competition at the NRA National Smallbore Rifle Championships.

Thurman Randle

Thurman Randle
b. January 6, 1883 — d. August 10, 1951


See more: All About Charles Bayard Lister

Latest

Matarese 2024 NSCA Winch 1
Matarese 2024 NSCA Winch 1

2024 NSCA National Championship: Team Winchester’s Matarese Secures Third Place In Main Event

Team Winchester and White Flyer shooters claim top finishes at 2024 NSCA National Championship, including Anthony Matarese, Jr., taking third in the Main Event and Joe Fanizzi in third for juniors.

Magpul’s New PMAG 20 LR/SR GEN M3 Magazine Has Round Count Verification Window

Magpul adds windowed PMAG 20 LR/SR GEN M3 variant to its 7.62x51 mm NATO/.308 Win. magazine lineup.

CMP Class Teaches Advanced M1 Garand Rifle Maintenance

Civilian Marksmanship Program releases dates for 2025 Advanced Maintenance classes to be held in Anniston, Ala.

Classic SSUSA: The Inaugural NRA World Shooting Championship

Begin with 159 world champions, run them through 11 shooting stages, all with standard guns provided by the match sponsors, and you end up with a new trophy and $50,000 awarded to the inaugural NRA World Shooting Champion.

Legends: Sue Ann Sandusky 1952-2024

The shooting sports community mourns the loss of Sue Ann Sandusky, a three-time NRA All-American, Army veteran and Distinguished service rifle shooter, who sadly passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.

Gunwerks Spike Feet Set Designed To Improve Grip And Add Stability In Uneven Terrain

This new set of spike feet for the Gunwerks Elevate 2.0 bipod promises to maintain a solid grip in tough terrain.

Interests



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