This June is the 40th Anniversary of The Shootists

It's hard to believe sometimes but it was 40 years ago that John Taffin contacted some of us and asked us to write about what guns and ammo we would take if we were to meet for a "shootists holiday." He was writing a fictional article for a gun magazine. All of us who were asked to write for it told John that we ought to do it! John began looking for a place to meet and with Paco Kelly's help, Freedom Arms said they would host it! At the first meeting we decided we wanted to make it an annual affair and thus The Shootists Holiday was born.

Of the originals attending the first Shootists Holiday there are now only 4 of us left. Bob Baker, Bud McDonald, Brian Pearce and myself.

The Shootists are having a 40th Anniversary gun built. I received photos of it this week:

.45 Colt Trapper
16” non threaded barrel
8 Round full magazine tube
Straight grip walnut stock
Standard loop
Rifle style forend cap (not a barrel band)
Special checkering pattern
Skinner Sights
Sling swivel studs
Recoil Pad
Shootists 40th Anniversary 1985 – 2025 engraved on the left side of the receiver

This is the first 45 Colt the new Ruger owned Marlin has ever produced!