Dick Williams, the Generalissimo of his Gunsite Irregulars, comes up with excellent themes for the occasional gathering of gun folks. I’ve not asked Dick how he determines which particular guns, shooting disciplines, specific equipment, and the like will be used for each event, but I know they are unique, interesting, and fun! The Gunsite Irregulars is comprised of writers, members of the gun industry, and a few lawmen who dabble in the writing business. While it is fun to review the best and newest firearms on the market, shoot them, hunt with them, and write about it all, I’ve found that the people I meet within the industry are the best part of it all. These great events at Gunsite Academy are definitely high points of the year!
Our most recent event paid tribute to three men who shaped the art of handgunning in their own unique ways. The event was named “Three Wise Men,” honoring Colonel Jeff Cooper, Elmer Keith, and Skeeter Skelton. The trio were vastly experienced in a common interest: guns. Handguns, to be more specific. Each of these men also wrote extensively on the subject.
Jeff Cooper
Cooper was an educated Marine, writer, and founder of the American Pistol Institute (API), which later became the famed Gunsite Academy. That introduction might sound simple and basic, but Colonel Cooper was anything but “basic” when it came to intelligence and well-thought-out principles of gunfighting tactics, marksmanship, and mindset.
By reading Cooper’s writings, it is easily discernable that the man had intellectual prowess. A thorough inspection of his vast library in the bottom story of The Sconce, the home he built around his ideas of a protected and defendable abode, gives some insight into the thought processes behind the man. He not only dedicated much thought to marksmanship, firearms, and strategies, but he also put forth the effort to master his weapons of choice. Then, he lectured, wrote, and taught others how to do the same.
The 1911 in .45 ACP was the colonel’s handgun of choice. Those who knew him best explain that at the time, the 1911 was what he found to work most reliably and fit his needs and he would have been open-minded to some of our current, more modern pistols. I see the logic behind this, and it sounds like Jeff Cooper was a logical man, so it makes sense. That same logic brought forth the Glock Gunsite Service Pistol (GGSP) earlier this year, which is an excellent fighting pistol. Cooper’s 1911s had no gimmicks, just good sights, and a good trigger; everything you need and nothing you don’t. Again, logical.
Col. Cooper educated us on the Weaver Stance (named for Jack Weaver), which is a gunfighting stance that enables the shooter to quickly bring their handgun to the target, gather a quick sight picture, and press the trigger in a smooth and fast motion. Gunsite does not teach target shooting. The instructors teach how to use your head and, if need be, how to fight with a gun. Plain and simple.
Cooper contributed to the literary gun world by writing articles for Guns & Ammo magazine for many years along with his monthly column, Cooper’s Corner, where he reported interesting details and thoughts.
Jeff Cooper also championed the scout rifle concept of mastering a light, compact rifle with a forward-mounted scope. And let’s not forget his color code of awareness of Conditions White, Yellow, Orange, and Red.
Elmer Keith
Keith was one of the last gun writers to have lived in the frontier era. Born March 8, 1899, and dying February 14, 1984, Keith and my great-grandad were about the same age and led semi-similar lives in that they were true cowboys. They lived their early lives during a time of no electricity and no running water, and the bulk of their travel was done on horseback. Those early times made for tough, independent men. If Elmer Keith was anything, he was tough — no doubt about it. His autobiography Hell, I was There! is a must-read for anyone interested in guns and history, especially handguns, big bores, and Western history.
Photo from the book, Gun Notes.
Keith’s recollection of being severely burned as a child and his pure determination to overcome the effects of it show he was no ordinary man. Keith made a living ranching and hunting and started writing early on in the 1920s. He had a hand in the development of some of our most popular handgun cartridges like the .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, and his beloved .44 Magnum. The design of his famous Number Five single-action revolver is still coveted and cloned by savvy handgunners to this day.
Elmer Keith was a proponent of heavy-for-caliber bullets and believed in using larger calibers for hunting. He is quoted as writing, “I like one-shot kills where possible and prefer to do my hunting before I shoot.” To be fair, bullet technology has improved greatly since Elmer’s time, but his theory is still a sound one. Keith’s latter handguns of choice were N-Framed Smith & Wesson‘s (S&W) and Ruger Super Blackhawks. He is closely associated with the S&W Model 29 in .44 Magnum, but he also helped design the Winchester Model 70, contributed to the OKH (O’Neil, Keith, Hopkins) wildcat rifle cartridges, and was a strong proponent of the big-bore double rifles for hunting Africa’s dangerous game.
Keith’s 120 Holster, a variation of the classic Threeperson’s design, was made for years by the George Lawrence Leather Company and can still be purchased by quality makers like Barranti Leather Company and Simply Rugged Holsters. He was also one of the first to promote handgun hunting and educated shooters on handgun accuracy at long range. And let’s not forget about his bullet designs! This is just a quick run-down of who Elmer Keith was. He authored many books and wrote for several magazines, ending his career as a top contributor to Guns & Ammo magazine. Always appearing with his trademark Stetson, cigar, and .44 Magnum sixgun, Elmer Keith was the stuff legends are made of.
Skeeter Skelton
Skelton is one of the most revered gun writers in modern history. Tales of great adventure was where Skeeter shined. From his childhood stories of Me and Joe to the adventures of Dobe Grant and the comical antics of Clyde “Jug” Johnson, Skeeter Skelton was a master of telling stories and making the reader feel like they were actually there. I discovered his writing when I was in high school and it was life-altering. My buddy Ross had been given a Shooting Times magazine by his grandmother, as she knew guns were all we talked about and had probably run across the magazine somewhere while out shopping.
This was after Skeeter’s death, but as I recall, the magazine had re-run Flight from Mexico, a classic Dobe Grant tale. Inside the magazine was an order form for a copy of Hoglegs, Hipshots, & Jalapeños, a compilation of Skeeter’s articles. I sent off a check and read that book at every break I had during class. I was hooked! Along with the stories listed above, Skeeter wrote about guns and southwestern history that fascinated me. His reminiscences of his law enforcement days captivated me, and it was his writing, along with articles by Bill Jordan of U.S. Border Patrol fame, and Sheriff Jim Wilson, that helped guide me into a law enforcement career. I will admit, when I discovered that Dobe Grant was actually a fictional character based on folks Skeeter knew, I was a little disappointed. His writing was so good that I had no idea some of it was fiction!
Skeeter was instrumental in rekindling interest in Colt’s Single Action Army revolvers and his writing on the classic .44 Special-inspired S&W to bring back the Model 24. Above his contributions to the firearms industry, I think the most honored accomplishment earned by him was the fact that he connected with his many, devoted readers. I have rarely, if ever, been around a group of handgun aficionados that the name Skeeter Skelton does not come up.
Guns Honoring Three Wise Men
Jeff Cooper’s events saw a variety of 1911s from all makes, models, and varying custom touches. My gun of choice was my Les Baer full-size pistol. From paper targets to steel shoot-off challenges, everyone carried out the legacy of Cooper’s Gunsite with rapid, accurate hits on all targets.
Photo by Lacey Polacek.
Elmer Keith Day saw big bore revolvers of various makes, models, and calibers. Of course, as previously mentioned, Elmer is closely associated with the S&W Model 29. I chose to shoot my 629, the 29’s stainless-steel twin, for that day loaded with less exciting .44 Special ammo for the square range. Later events on steel at longer ranges required my Ruger Bisley .44 Magnum with full-house loads. The hot stuff is quite manageable and more pleasant to shoot with the Bisley grip frame.
Skeeter’s Day was represented with more big-bore revolvers. Replicas of Skeeter’s famed 5-inch S&W Model 27 were present as were Model 24s and others. I took my original Ruger 44 Flattop with a 7.5-inch barrel, another Skeeter Skelton favorite, as my true “Skeeter Gun” for the day.
Photo by Lacey Polacek.
All three of these men are now long gone, but each of them continues to live with us through their writings. Their life experiences and places in history cannot be duplicated and these men cannot be replaced. Take some time to seek out their work, sit back with your cold drink of choice or a hot cup of coffee, and soak up the knowledge and entertainment left to all of us by these Three Wise Men.
