Tucked away in a shady condo complex in Burnaby's Cariboo Heights neighbourhood live top guns Dennis and Karen Robinson.

They are among the world's best when it comes to fast draw, old-fashioned gunslinging usually reserved for John Wayne films.

"It's single action: one bullet each time you move the hammer," Dennis explains.

"It's cowboy. It's western. We're (like Marshal) Matt Dillon," says Karen, referring to the fictional character from Gunsmoke.

And while the Robinsons may not have free range of Dodge City, their Burnaby condo is suitable enough for a fast draw demonstration.

The guns they use are replicas of the classic type you would expect to see in a western film. They shoot one bullet at a time, and the cylinder holds six. At home, they try not to flash the pistols around too much in case the neighbours get alarmed.

They strap vintage-style, thick leather holsters to their thighs and unlock their pistols from a secure box.

In the pink family room of their home, Dennis demonstrates his draw. He stands readied, with one hand hovering above the holster, arm tense while he waits for the verbal cue: "Shooter on the line. Shooter. Set."

In roughly 41/100ths of a second, he whips out the pistol and fires an incredibly loud blank, filling the room with the acrid smell of gunpowder. Karen is equally impressive; her average time is about 45/100ths of a second.

This April, at the World Fast Draw Association's annual banquet, Dennis and Karen were presented with the "Top Gun Gold Buckle Awards" for their quick draws. Karen earned fifth all-around top gun title, while Dennis garnered third in the men's division.

In competitions, they wait for a light to come on, signalling when they can draw, and they aim for a target hooked up to a timer. They never use real bullets, just blanks and wax versions, and they never point their pistols at anyone. Accuracy is just as important as speed since shooters get penalized if they miss their targets.

They also stage one-on-one shootouts, like in the Old West, but they shoot off at an angle for safety reasons although it looks straight on to the audience.

"Our sport is very safe," Karen says.

"Safer than the golf range, that's for sure," Dennis quips.

Dennis, now 72, and Karen, 65, have been gunslinging for decades.

Dennis is one of the original founders of the Thunderbird Fast Draw Club, the largest and longest running fast draw club in the world.

The Robinsons have appeared on TV, promoting their hobby, including an appearance on CBC's The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos. Dennis's fascination with guns goes back to his youth.

"I've always liked guns. My dad was a cop," he says.

Dennis looks and dresses the part of a gunslinger. Although he grew up in Burnaby, he speaks with a bit of a slow drawl. He wears a cowboy hat, belt buckle and a string tie.

Karen is decked out in a pink Western-style shirt and her prized golden belt buckle.

Karen and Dennis met through work, and for their first date they went to a gun-shooting contest in Seattle. Karen was hooked.

"It was very different because I knew nothing about this sort of thing," she says. "It's very competitive, but it's a lot of fun."

They got married in 1965. Now, they spend every Friday night at the Langley Rod and Gun Club.

The guns they shoot are perfectly legal. They have a permit and have done the necessary course required to have a handgun. The Robinsons' guns are safely stored and locked.

"In Canada, it's still a privilege to own an handgun," Dennis says, explaining it's not a right enshrined in the Constitution, like it is in the U.S.

The gunslinging community is somewhat tight-knit, and everyone knows each other.

April to September is competition season, and the couple travels as far as Wyoming for contests.

"That's the best part, seeing the people," Dennis said, referring to the circuit scene.

Karen and Dennis are also promoting the Canadian Fast Draw Championships as part of the Aldergrove Fair Days, on July 24 and 25 in the Aldergrove Athletic Park. For more information on the championships, visit www.aldergrovefairdays.com/events.html.

The Robinsons also organize an annual celebrity fast draw competition, by special invite only.

This year, it's on Saturday, July 24 at high noon, also in Aldergrove Athletic Park. Past participants have included Housing Minister Rich Coleman, Children and Family Development Minister Mary Polak and Langley MP Mark Warawa. Apparently, Coleman is the reigning champion.

"A lot of people come out and watch that," Dennis says. "They like to watch Mark Warawa and Rich Coleman slug it out."

To get involved, contact Dennis at 604-540-6394.