My friend John Taffin passed a couple of days ago, after a period of ill health. He was 86.
John was one of the longest-standing gun writers in the business. He was particularly fond of older-style revolvers and lever action rifles. His work appeared regularly in GUNS and American Handgunner magazine. A devout Christian, he lived his beliefs – a genuinely kind and generous man in person, and very much a family man.
A heck of a good shot, too. Not to mention his encyclopedic knowledge of firearms history.
It’s not too late to read his several excellent books, which should be available on Amazon. John was the quintessential “good guy with a gun,” and my deepest condolences go to his large family, his many friends, and his countless readers.
May he rest in peace.
Oh no, first Mike and now John. I never met either man but felt like I knew them after reading their articles since I was a teenager. Not only was their writing packed with information but it was very personal and entertaining. Both were of the “new generation” that took over where Skelton, Askins and O’Connor left off and will be sorely missed. Rest in peace John and God bless Miss Dot.
Yes sir, we’re losing them all it seems and no one to fill their shoes
There will never be another John Taffin. We’re gonna miss him.
Yes sir very well said yes sir we will
John Taffin will remain my go-to source for big bore, perfect packin’ pistols. Reading his numerous articles and books is a comfortable time capsule, that is, a nostalgic return to 1950s America when life seemed better for most Americans.
The classic phrase “perfect packin’ pistols’ “ ranks right up in memorability with our oft-quoted Arthur Conan Doyle’s “comforting feel of a heavy revolver” from “The Hound of the Baskervilles.” Whenever I am walking down whichever Valley of the Shadow of Death that I might find myself to be in, I find solace not only in prayer, but also in the solid thump my heavy revolver will uniquely give from the very first shot at whatever merciless predator is foolish enough to ask for it. Blessed indeed are the faithfully skookum Peacemakers that John Taffin so artfully praised!
I agree completely with you
We are Diminished, yet again. 🙁
Vaya con Dios.
John was one of a kind. He will be missed. R.I.P. brother.
Yes he will
Earth’s loss. Heaven’s gain. Glad we had him for as long as we did. Glad he was on our side.
For those of us who enjoy the “Old Guns”, we’ve lost some great writers in the last year. John, like Mike and Phil leave some big boots to fill. I’m glad so much of their work is out in books and not just magazine articles.
One of the most honest knowledgeable writers who ever lived. His forte was revolvers, but he even wrote those Tupperware pistols called Glock and even the ubiquitous Hipoint. He loaded some 45 acp with black powder, try that on your Dillon.Condolences his wife Dot, and the rest of his family.
Go to youtube and see Roy Huntington and Brent What’s memories of John at the FMG site.
Despite my preference for guns invented after 1910, John Taffin wrote with a style and deep knowledge that I found compelling. Clearly he was a deeply good person, something to which we can all aspire. And, that may be the highest compliment one can pay a man.
I offer my condolences to his family and close friends.
Another Icon gone under.
Now there’s none left we’ll be reading about plastic Glocks and signs
No use in me buying gun magazines anymore
Condolences to his family. Happy trails John, you’ll be missed
Makes me think of the George Jones song “whose goina full their shoes”. We all should carry their banner and some one or several will fill their shoes. Carry on Triggermen.
I am another long-term reader of John Taffin’s work. As someone who appreciates real guns, made out of blued steel and walnut (rather than plastic), and someone who appreciates a good revolver, his writings spoke to me. This is another heavy loss.
Quote of the Day:
“When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground.”
– African Proverb (popularized by Malian writer and ethnologist Amadou Hampâté Bâ)
I’m very sad about hearing of the loss of John Taffin. I have to say though that I’m very happy for him. To be absent from the body is to present with the Lord for all believers. My prayers for his family and all of us who will miss his writing.
I am so happy that john meant so much to you all. Nott just as a writer but as a God loving man. We were married for 66 years. I knew him less than 4 months when we got married. 2nd best decision of my life.first one was accepting christ. We had a great time together. He said that the only time his guns gathered dust was when he met me. Diamond Dot. Thanks for your kind words.
Our thoughts are with you and yours, Dot.