Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters John Taffin

Had never read Taffin much, but received his "Book of the .44" for my birthday. Quite a gem, especially the history of the firearms. The pictures are amazing. Think I'll read him some more!

Solid gentleman and knows sixguns like nobody else.

He’s a very good writer, truly has a passion for six guns and it comes through in his writing. In his younger years he shot huge amounts of big bore heavy six guns and literally rearranged the bones in his hands and wrists. These day’s modest loads are all he shoots.

I've enjoyed reading him for many years. I have several of his books. Great reading and super illustrations.

That book is a treasure. He's a nice guy, too.

No one nicer than John Tiffin

I have several of his books. Always nice to sit down with one. I always seem to glean a little something new each time.

John is indeed very knowledgeable about sixguns, so much other gun writers tend to admire his work.

And he usually is a very nice guy. The one time I saw him go off on somebody was at the SHOT Show over 20 years ago, at the press conference where Colt announced the "Colt Light Rifle," a more affordable version of Melvin Forbes' Ultra Light rifles.

The Colt guy had recently come from the home appliance business, and after his very brief (and boring) speech, John Taffin stood up and said something like this, as best I recall: "You don't even know what you're talking about. This rifle has the potential to be great, but not if you folks don't understand the hunting rifle industry!" And then walked out.

John, of course, turned out to be right--even when the subject wasn't revolvers....

Big fan here of Mr. Taffin.

Recently read the book of the 44..

It was very good. Great author.
I'm getting to an age where I understand anger directed at misinformation. So I'm sure his reaction to the Colt rep was spot on.

It seems that Mr. Taffin enjoys what he does, and it comes out in his writing. I've read his work for decades. He's one of the best.

It definitely was spot on, as I hinted in my post. Colt did such a bad job of promoting the CLR that sales went south after the first year or so, and Melvin Forbes had to buy his company back from Colt--which is why he had to rename it New Ultra Light Arms. (And of course Colt filed for bankruptcy in 2015.....)

I still use some of his "Taffin Tests" load data he developed years ago for some oddities like the 10mm Magnum, 9mm WinMag, 41 Avenger, and 401 Powermag.

Tony Rumore
Tromix

Taffin is an ace, as is Mule Deer. There are used car salesman in every business.

Thanks!

But as I noted earlier, some gun writers also highly respect the experience and information from other gun writers who have more experience in another specialty. As an example, my double-action stainless .44 Magnum revolver isn't one that would be considered by many, but John Taffin thoroughly tested one and found it to be both accurate and highly reliable. And John has far more time and opportunity to test revolvers than I do.

So I bought one, and the results have been exactly what John reported....

And I see he has more books for me to buy. That's a good thing.

I have been reading Taffin's articles since the 80's and have found him to be honest, humble and well written. I've used him as an example of what good writing is when critiquing poor writing in letters to the editor of several magazines.
Also a man of faith and family.
I've used his load data for years.

Go back and read his column prior to the current editorial change in
American Handgunner" . . . it has been some number of years.
A golden nugget every issue!!

Really like his writing. Love the subjects.


But heavens to Betsy.....if I ever have to read about how he had to work his way through college, while being married with kids, and having to sell some guns again....it will be too soon.

I have had the good fortune to have been a guest in John's home twice! I can't say enough good about the man!

He has truly been there and done that when it comes to handguns.