ParadiseRoad
Member
...demonstrating proper technique with the Combat Masterpiece...
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...Photo...Jeff Cooper...
- Thread starter ParadiseRoad
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I liked Cooper's writings......but.....His scout scope idea is totally useless..........
Served his country.
Articulate, intelligent,well educated, travelled
and somewhat successful.
His writing kept the 1911 in constant print.
Cared little of his writings.
Never could get past his inflated ego and arrogance.
Articulate, intelligent,well educated, travelled
and somewhat successful.
His writing kept the 1911 in constant print.
Cared little of his writings.
Never could get past his inflated ego and arrogance.
Texas Star
US Veteran
I think that's a Model 66 with four-inch barrel. Look at the forward end of the enclosed shroud.
I think you're right.
That's a lot of trigger finger around the trigger . . .
Ranger514
Member
Never could get past his ego and use of "we" as a pronoun.
LEO918
SWCA Member
I only met Jeff Cooper on two occasions. He was a very interesting individual.
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I don't always have to agree with someone's opinions to find them interesting. I enjoyed his writing. He was a positive influence in the world of firearms.
It's interesting how different people can see the same guy very differently: I LOVED Cooper's writing...and never found him arrogant. (At least not any more than anyone else in his position would have been.)
I have most of his books, and I tell people that Jeff Cooper was one of those writers who was so gifted, that even if you weren't interested in the subject matter, you read him anyway. For example, I have never hunted in my life, and have no interest in hunting...but I was captivated by his descriptions of hunting in Africa.
Attachments
I've owned a Steyr Scout Rifle for many years...and I think the scope is one of its best features. YMMV...
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I agree. He had lofty standards for himself and others. That's considered arrogance in this day and age. Michael Bane did an interview with him shortly before he passed. He pretty much stuck to his beliefs to the very end.
Texas Star
US Veteran
I began reading Cooper in 1958, when he published a gun book via Petersen Press. I think, Fighting Handguns. He soon had, Guns of the Old West, and was writing for Guns & Ammo.
I mentioned him in a letter to Warren Page, then the Field & Stream gun writer. Page was scathing, demanding to know who was this Jeff Cooper? Said they used to have a fellow who wrote camera stuff for them, had turned to gun writing, and did an interesting job of copying both information and misinformation about guns. He disputed Cooper's claim that the .44 revolver was a significant killer of men in the Civil War, and said that Cooper was all wet about the 1861-63 Springfield being antiquated by then.
I've wondered over the years if he revised his opinion of Col. Cooper and his introduction to modern handgunning techniques and his advocacy for auto pistols, esp. the Colt .45. In fairness to Page, he had no idea that he was writing to a 12 year old boy. Had he known, he might have been more tactful. His other letters to me over the years were nicer. He did once refer me to Maj. George Nonte for an answer, as Page wasn't much into handguns. Page was a rifleman and was largely responsible for both the 6mm and 7mm Magnum cartridges being marketed.
I corresponded with Jeff a number of times but met him just once, at the SHOT show. He was in a hurry and said little.
I do agree that he was a little arrogant . He once used a medieval word with no translation and expected his readers to know it or look it up. I forget the word, but not the attitude.
Skelton once described Cooper as doing "positively written" material.
Many gun writers are immodest peacocks, and that applied to Jeff. But he was right, usually, he was erudite and interesting, and he tackled issues not addressed by others.
I asked him if he'd ever been in a real gunfight, and he told me about the three such events in his life. I think he was honest, and he wasn't offended by my asking. Without going into details, he found both the .45 ACP and the .45 Colt cartridges to be very effective on human targets. The .45 Colt was a SAA with 5.5 inch bbl. and adj. sights. Its victim was a Japanese soldier coming over a log to attack Cooper. The then-young Marine officer meant to shoot him twice, but the first bullet hit with such impact that the man was flipped backward off the log and no second shot was needed. Why a sane Marine in 1943 or so was carrying an 1873-introduced revolver is an issue that'd interest many, no doubt. He soon switched to a .45 auto, his own Govt. Model with custom stocks.
His writing was a bit bombastic at times and reflected his self worth, but he wrote well and described things and attitudes that were worthy of expression.
I did not agree with him about Scout rifles.
I mentioned him in a letter to Warren Page, then the Field & Stream gun writer. Page was scathing, demanding to know who was this Jeff Cooper? Said they used to have a fellow who wrote camera stuff for them, had turned to gun writing, and did an interesting job of copying both information and misinformation about guns. He disputed Cooper's claim that the .44 revolver was a significant killer of men in the Civil War, and said that Cooper was all wet about the 1861-63 Springfield being antiquated by then.
I've wondered over the years if he revised his opinion of Col. Cooper and his introduction to modern handgunning techniques and his advocacy for auto pistols, esp. the Colt .45. In fairness to Page, he had no idea that he was writing to a 12 year old boy. Had he known, he might have been more tactful. His other letters to me over the years were nicer. He did once refer me to Maj. George Nonte for an answer, as Page wasn't much into handguns. Page was a rifleman and was largely responsible for both the 6mm and 7mm Magnum cartridges being marketed.
I corresponded with Jeff a number of times but met him just once, at the SHOT show. He was in a hurry and said little.
I do agree that he was a little arrogant . He once used a medieval word with no translation and expected his readers to know it or look it up. I forget the word, but not the attitude.
Skelton once described Cooper as doing "positively written" material.
Many gun writers are immodest peacocks, and that applied to Jeff. But he was right, usually, he was erudite and interesting, and he tackled issues not addressed by others.
I asked him if he'd ever been in a real gunfight, and he told me about the three such events in his life. I think he was honest, and he wasn't offended by my asking. Without going into details, he found both the .45 ACP and the .45 Colt cartridges to be very effective on human targets. The .45 Colt was a SAA with 5.5 inch bbl. and adj. sights. Its victim was a Japanese soldier coming over a log to attack Cooper. The then-young Marine officer meant to shoot him twice, but the first bullet hit with such impact that the man was flipped backward off the log and no second shot was needed. Why a sane Marine in 1943 or so was carrying an 1873-introduced revolver is an issue that'd interest many, no doubt. He soon switched to a .45 auto, his own Govt. Model with custom stocks.
His writing was a bit bombastic at times and reflected his self worth, but he wrote well and described things and attitudes that were worthy of expression.
I did not agree with him about Scout rifles.
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RobertJ.
Member
He was one of the writers I liked way back when I was taking in everything gun-related, along with Elmer Keith, Bill Jordan, etc. I grew up with no TV and read everything I could get my hands on.
By the time he started writing, "Cooper's Corner" in G&A magazine, I thought he was a legend in his own mind.
I sure wouldn't have wanted him shooting at me, though!
I have all of His books and attended several classes at Gunsite. I spent some time with Col. Cooper and really enjoyed Him. In the late 70's when one of the big three TV channels was doing a profile of Him and Gunsite the reporter asked Him " Do You believe violence begats violence ?" He responded " I certainly hope so." Best retort ever.
keith44spl
Member
A good picture of the ol feller...........
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BLACKHAWKNJ
Member
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Many writers are not "people" persons, really don't like meeting their readers, are not up to Q &A, give and take, find letters annoying and intrusive, etc. He wrote very well, he reminded me of William F. Buckley who said he used big words to lift people up, get them to think-any maybe look it up in the dictionary. Opinionated ? Aren't we all in our way, those of us who have been shooting for a while know what we like and don't like. He made me think of Charlie Askins, if you didn't agree with him fine, but don't say you're right and he's not.
akviper
Member
I had the privilege of meeting Col. Cooper at Gunsite in 2004. He and his wife invited us into their home for a tour of his gun room. I found the man gracious and welcoming. He was quite elderly by then and had some trouble getting around but he still took the time to answer all the questions we asked. Most people at that stage of life probably would rather not deal with strangers in their home. He was a legend but not just in his own mind. I really enjoyed talking with him and was glad I took the time to meet with them.
Skeptic 9c
Member
He was taught proper English before 1940. He used the Editorial We.
Geoff
Who notes we no longer teach the English language in our schools, this is reflected in our news sources.
