Renowned handgun authority and author John Taffin, whose byline has graced the pages of popular firearms periodicals for decades, has passed away.
Known for his monthly columns in American Handgunner and GUNS, Mr. Taffin had been in declining health for some months, yet he still continued producing material for both popular magazines. He is being remembered by friends and colleagues as a “giant” and “a huge figure to our industry.”
Within the firearms journalism community, Mr. Taffin was known as a polite, and gentle man who was known as a friend and colleague. To readers, he had attained the status of living legend with a breadth and depth of knowledge of the subjects about which he wrote. He was also recognized as a great storyteller.
According to biographical information found online, Taffin was born May 2, 1939. He grew up in Ohio and graduated from Kent State University in 1965. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Montana in 1971 and ultimately settled in Idaho. He taught math for some 30 years, and started his writing career in 1967. His stories were both educational and entertaining, and he invariably referred to his wife in these adventures as “Diamond Dot.”
The author of five books on handguns, he was known as a prolific writer and authority on single-action revolvers. He wrote monthly columns for both American Handgunner and GUNS, and continued producing copy.
According to one biography, Mr. Taffin was “instrumental” in opening up the Elmer Keith Museum at the Boise Cabela’s in 2008. Keith was widely known as the “father of the .44 Magnum,” and a pioneer in long-range handgunning. Taffin personally knew Keith and was widely regarded as an authority on Keith and the development of the .44 Magnum.
One of the things for which Taffin became well-known were images of him holding handguns, typically with the muzzles aimed out toward the edge of the image in a three-quarter perspective, to illustrate his hundreds of articles.
In a statement online, American Handgunner and GUNS observed, “A long-time writer for GUNS Magazine, and American Handgunner Magazine, he was considered one of the most knowledgeable experts about revolvers who has ever lived. His works have inspired and delighted generations of readers.”
Services are pending.–Dave Workman
