Thanks, Paladin. those were great gun writiers on the original list. I'll read anything I see their name on. One person who should be added was Gen. Julian Hatcher. His 'Notebook" is still full of interest today, and he wrote the best (almost the only) book on the Garand.
It's hard to beat the old-time gun writers...
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rburg
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When I was 15 my mother asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I was a little old for lists to Santa, but I told her I wanted a book (for a 15 year old, its a sure hit with a mother.) She told me to write it down, so I did.
It was "On Your Own in the Wilderness" by Col Townsend Whelen. She had no idea how to find that back in the early 60s. So I got socks and underwear, maybe a few pairs of white Levi's. I wasn't surprised, and my father asked what I'd wanted, so I told him. He gave my mom kind of a disgusted look. He just figured she didn't buy it because it might have a tenuous connection to guns, something she hated. But Christmas isn't the time for anger or reciminations. So the subject dropped. About a month later was my birthday. Mom probably bought me more underwear and socks, surely nothing a 16 YO would want. But just like in the Christmas Story, my dad asked if I'd gotten everything I wanted. Given my outlook then and now, I probably laughed and said I didn't get anything I wanted.
Then he pointed to the bookcase. Sure enough, there was the book I'd wanted to read. I've still got it, too. But I don't know where. Guess I need to start looking. I can find a place for it up here in the living room.
Whoops it was co-authored by Bradford Anglier
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I came across Cooper's book "Fighting Handguns" in 1959 in high school, and practically memorized it. Got it hardbound ( so it wouldn't fall apart) and it was my bible for things pistolwise. At some point later I sent him the book to autograph, which he did, noting "I was much younger then!"
He was a bit of a renaissance man, an excellent writer, and worth reading whether or not you agreed with him.
I grew up reading that book and Keith's "Sixguns", both of which are essentials. I also still have my "On Your Own In The Wilderness".
Which probably explains why I like 1911s, single actions, and have been above the Arctic Circle a couple of times.
Those old guys were something else.
He was a bit of a renaissance man, an excellent writer, and worth reading whether or not you agreed with him.
I grew up reading that book and Keith's "Sixguns", both of which are essentials. I also still have my "On Your Own In The Wilderness".
Which probably explains why I like 1911s, single actions, and have been above the Arctic Circle a couple of times.
Those old guys were something else.
Inspector-Callahan
Member
Count me in as one that consider these two guys worthwhile reading most of the time along with Taffin. I wasn't around to read the true early writers mentioned previously.
I also remember reading alot that Bob Milek authored....
http://archives.gunsandammo.com/content/longrange-sixgunning
Now I must get back to reading my copy of "Hell, I was THERE!"
IC
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David LaPell
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This one is tough since I have written a few articles here and there. I can tell you that I would never compare myself to the likes of Elmer and Skeeter (both two of my heroes in a way). Especially if you read the hard time Elmer had as a kid recovering from the fire that nearly killed him and the life he had as not only a cowboy, but a guide and just an all out tough working man. It was the way of that entire generation, I often wonder how many other hunters and shooters would have been well known if they had written down their adventures. I've got alot of old books from all of the early writers, Elmer, Skeeter, Cooper, and from some that are pretty obscure like William Reichenbach, Paul Curtis and a few more. I have lots of old magazines from everything like Fur-Fish-Game, American Rifleman back into the 30's, Hunter Trader Trapper and more. There were lots of really good writers that I have never heard of before that I wish would have gotten more ink. I will agree that it seems like the magazines now are pretty much advertisements, I only get a couple now, Handloader and Fur-Fish-Game. I still write alot, but its mostly for online gun magazines because I can write more in a month than a used to in a year. I'm still learning myself in this game, I know I like to shoot, and I like to write about what I have learned, right or wrong. I have never reviewed a new gun though and am really not interested since I prefer the old stuff anyways. I really don't think there will ever be another Elmer or Skeeter, mainly because times are not the same. We can't just travel around like the old days to hunt elk and moose, these in some places are now once in a lifetime hunts. Africa is for the most part a rich man's game. I can't speak for some of the other guys, but I write about what I know and what I have learned, even if it is alot less than some of the other guys out there, but hey I hope I have a long way to go and there is plenty of lead still to be cast and spent! In my younger days I was kind of like Indiana Jones and sought fortune and glory, now I am just hoping to have gas money and can catch a nap once in a while.
What I liked about the old writers (Milek, Whelen, Skeeter, Jordan, etc.) is that their articles didn't sound like PR pieces for gun, and accessory manufacturers like today's gun writer's seem to sound like.
About the only gun writers I like to read now are Taffin and Ayoob; the rest seem to only toot their own horns or whoever's sent them something to write about.
About the only gun writers I like to read now are Taffin and Ayoob; the rest seem to only toot their own horns or whoever's sent them something to write about.
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KLNFrame
Member
The list is a good one ,I miss the late Bob Milek too.
GF
Member
Sure, I'd still like him.
But he probably needs widen his circle of "experts" to quote for articles.
I bet it was about those old 357 magnums that only the rich & famous can afford!
GF
ACP230
Member
I met Jack Lewis, Dean Grennell, Bill Jordan, and Finn Aagaard at the 1988 NRA Convention in Orlando, FL.
Jack Lewis agreed to look at an article I was working on. Dean
Grennell talked a bit but it wasn't easy since he had service connected hearing loss.
Bill Jordan told me a couple of stories about Skeeter, took time, and was polite.
Aagaard was just plain rude. I lost a lot of respect for him after a brief conversation.
Jack Lewis agreed to look at an article I was working on. Dean
Grennell talked a bit but it wasn't easy since he had service connected hearing loss.
Bill Jordan told me a couple of stories about Skeeter, took time, and was polite.
Aagaard was just plain rude. I lost a lot of respect for him after a brief conversation.
jrm53
Member
One older writer that I really enjoyed who wrote fiction was Lucian Cary who or was carried in Gun Digest who wrote about an old gunsmith/barrel maker named J M Pyne. If you run across any of these they are well worth the time to read. Mr Cary passed away on Sept 7, 1971 at the age of 85. Jeff
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BLACKHAWKNJ
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IIRC the "J. M. Pyne" stories were based Harry Pope, a famous old time barrel maker and Schuetzen competitor.
I met Rex Applegate in 1998 at the NRA Convention in Philadelphia.
When Bob Milek departed this life his family asked for memorial contributions to "Water for Wildlife", his favorite cause. I sent a donation and received a hand written thank you from Mrs. Milek.
I met Rex Applegate in 1998 at the NRA Convention in Philadelphia.
When Bob Milek departed this life his family asked for memorial contributions to "Water for Wildlife", his favorite cause. I sent a donation and received a hand written thank you from Mrs. Milek.
Thanks, I knew I misspelled his name, but at work, didn't have time to look it up.
I remember clear as day when Bob Milek died. I think I stopped reading Guns and Ammo right then and there, never went back.
Inspector-Callahan
Member
Milek
Bob was a real ambassador of handgun hunting and the articles I remember reading were about that. I don't recall seeing any books he wrote.....I'll have to look that one up!!
I thought his son got into the gun world in some way and was writing for a magazine for a spell...
IC
Bob was a real ambassador of handgun hunting and the articles I remember reading were about that. I don't recall seeing any books he wrote.....I'll have to look that one up!!
I thought his son got into the gun world in some way and was writing for a magazine for a spell...
IC
I read and liked the old revolver guys, as well as Mr Cooper. The newer writers I like best are Taffin, Wilson, and especially Brian Pearce. I don't think the manufacturers own their souls. I really liked Dean Grennell, too.........
i used to couldn't stand Brian Pearce but I have got where I like his articles. I especially enjoyed that really great article in Handloader about .38/44 loads about 4 years ago.
My opinion of a writer or anyone is subject to change. It's not something that is set in stone.
My opinion of a writer or anyone is subject to change. It's not something that is set in stone.
