Seeing a scattering of posts on social media this evening that long-time gunwriter and pistolero John Taffin is reported to have passed today. There have been reports of him being ill for some time.
One of those posting about Mr. Taffin is gunleather artisan Mike “Doc” Barranti - he is (sadly in this case) a reliable source.
"The sea was angry that day, my friends - like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli." - George Costanza
March 11, 2025, 01:35 AM
Il Cattivo
I hope not, but if so then R.I.P. There was always something interesting and often something to learn in his articles, whether the reader spent a lot of time shooting the same guns he did or not, and he certainly came across as a likeable guy.
I hope this is not true but sadly I believe it is.
I have read so many of his articles over the years and he keep saying I was going to get a couple of his books.
He was one of my go to writers because he covered a lot of the calibers that I found fascinating such as the .44 Special, .38 Super, .41 Magnum and the .32.
He even covered calibers such as the .500, that I would never shoot but I enjoyed the articles and always learned something.
Yes, sad . Wikipedia has his death date as 10th of March. R.I.P. He was a mutual & big fan of the .41 mag. and the handguns that shot it.
Never judge a man, till you have walked a mile in his shoes..... That way, you'll be a mile away from him; and you'll have his shoes.
March 11, 2025, 10:37 AM
cas
Yep he passed last night. Besides being good at what he did, he was a generous giving man.
Twice over the last 20 years he went out of his way to dig up information for me, photo copy old articles and mail them to me. Not because I asked, he just offered. I didn't know him personally, I was just another name that he "knew" online, like countless others.
March 11, 2025, 11:08 AM
ElToro
That’s sad news. He was a good writer. I have several of his books in my gun library.
March 11, 2025, 03:16 PM
arfmel
Yes, condolences to his family. He’ll be missed.
March 11, 2025, 03:54 PM
GT-40DOC
I have read John for years and years. We both have a love for the SAA revolvers, 44 Specials, and other things RIP!!
March 11, 2025, 04:41 PM
1KPerDay
I liked his articles quite a bit.
--------------------------- My hovercraft is full of eels.
March 11, 2025, 04:59 PM
P-220
I enjoyed many of his articles.
R.I.P. Mr. Taffin.
Niech Zyje P-220
Steve
March 11, 2025, 07:42 PM
LMLarsen
Rest in peace, John.
__________________________ We few... We happy few...
Sorry to hear of John's passing. He was an interesting writer coving topics beyond the usual stuff that fills gun magazines.
U.S. Army 11F4P Vietnam 69-70 NRA Life Member
March 11, 2025, 09:26 PM
maxwayne
I met him years ago at the SWCA meeting in Boise. His hands looked like claws from shooting the big guns.
I enjoyed his writing and he was a good speaker.
March 12, 2025, 01:41 AM
sonnydaze
That is sad. I communicated with John quite often maybe ten years back. He was a good man, a great author, and posted many gun articles. I have his signed book "BIG BORE SIXGUNS."This message has been edited. Last edited by: sonnydaze,
March 12, 2025, 05:37 PM
jer830
I enjoyed reading his articles back in the day before the internet, when the only firearm information you could get was from the magazines or firsthand from gun people.
March 12, 2025, 07:32 PM
sw4566
Between him, Mike Venturino and Mark Hampton we've lost many of the greats lately.
March 14, 2025, 09:01 AM
UTsig
John Taffin was a favorite of mine, I still have the book "Big Bore Sixguns". I talked with him at one point about a Texas Longhorn Arms that I had. He was very friendly and helpful.
"Nature scares me" a quote by my friend Bob after a rough day at sea.
March 14, 2025, 11:27 AM
straightshooter1
Another of the gun writers I really liked and respected. He'll be missed around this house for sure.