We hope we can introduce these guys to the younger generation with these videos. They definitely need to be read and known about so their legacy lives on.
@@wvherk Yeah I remember that all the magnum hunting rifle fever was going on back then I'd like to show some younger people the articles that were written about how futile it was to try to hunt with a 30/30, 45/70, 300 savage, etc. and that everybody needed 7 magnums, 300 magnums, etc. to have a chance at taking a deer. I bought into it for a while.
The best times in my life were spent reading his writings. Dobe Grant became a very real person to me and I can tell you I was sick for days when I learned of Skeeters death.
I love this episode! I was a subscriber to Shooting Times magazine and soon realized that Skeeter was special. The handgun that I bought because of his writing wasn’t a .44 Magnum or even a .357 Magnum. It was a Smith & Wesson Model 17 K-22. He told the story of seeing a picture of Gary Cooper with a new S&W revolver. This was about a year after the end of WWII, civilian production of firearms took a while to get ramped up again after the war. But Gary Cooper had a brand new K-22. Skeeter said that he decided he needed one just like Cooper’s and so did I. I found one in the mid-‘70s at Montgomery Ward. I don’t remember exactly how much it was but I knew that I had to have it! Now, after almost 50 years, I still have that K-22 and have shot thousands of rounds through it. It may be my most useful handgun. I think of Skeeter’s article every time that I shoot it. I never met Skeeter Skelton but he was my friend. Every time that I read one of his articles or stories, I knew that I could count on him as a “ compadre”. I miss you old friend!
One of my favorite gun writers of all times and got me learning about firearms when I started reading his gun articles in 1972. His stories of Doby Grant, Jugs Johnson, his childhood adventures during the Depression, in the Border Patrol, and as a Sheriff are still among my favorite stories from any gun writer. His work on the 44 Special inspired me to own several models in that caliber as well as reload for the caliber. His passing in 1988 and his son's (Bart Skelton) passing last year was a loss for the gun world. I still enjoy his stories from old collected articles and one of his books.
@@LTArms We had another writer (recently passed) Duke Venturino who also pushed the lure of older calibers, the Colt Single Action, and even really funny stories about guns, gun buying, and his own mistakes. He wasn't in the realm of Skeeter in storytelling, but dead on in the world of old guns and reloading (his big specialty). We have some newer ones now like Dr Will Dabbs (ex-Army SF pilot and gun aficionado). But yes, I agree we need a new generation of Skeeter's (and even Duke's) with their stories, gun lore, and just plain common sense learned from life experiences.
He was my favorite gun writer of all time. I was so sad when he passed away back in 1988. He had been sick for a while, but I really thought he would be back with more of his wonderful writing. I especially enjoyed his "Me and Joe" episodes and his Dobie Grant tales. There will never be another Skeeter. Not ever.
0:10 😮favorite gun writer of all time. Just good unfussy style and seemed to understand we his readers were on budget. A true loss and a great Patriot😢😢
I read all his articles with great anticipation and fondness back when I came of age in the early 1980s. Jeff Cooper's work as well. Both are sorely missed.
Thank you for this video. The year he passed, I bought 2 624 smiths. I later sold them for college money. I wish I still had them both. Life is strange. I might get a 624 three inch yet. What a role model of a man.
I read 'Me and Joe' when I was in high school... 1970!!! Loved his work. I read Shooting Times especially just for his articles (well also for Jeff Coopers to!)
I was a huge fan of Skeeter in the late 70's through to his passing. I really missed his writing and sadly let my subscription to Shooting times lapse. I restarted it several years ago. His passion for handguns spurred mine and I still have it in my 70's.
I had the honor to be introduced to Skeeter by his son Bart who worked for me as a State Trooper in 1985 then I was transferred to Deming in 1988 where we became friends and had weekly conversations until his health failed him he was a great lawman and writer both he and Bart are gone now adios compadre
I couldn't wait for Shooting Times to hit the mail box every month. To read Hipshots and Ask Skeeter. I truly loved the Me & Joe stories along with the Jug Johnson and Dobe Grant stories.
@@LTArms Skeeter was a great writer he just happened to write about handguns and reloading. Jack O'Conner was a great writer and an English professor. Elmer was a great engineer by nature if not by education and a good story teller but not that great at grammer and sentence structure. If the people who edited his copy are to be believed. They were probably right as his formal education was limited to about the eighth grade. But l love reading all three of them to this day.
@@LTArms I am 52. My Dad was a shooter. He didn't play catch or those kind of dad things. He taught Mr about firearms, shooting and reloading for fun stuff and we worked on his different projects for father / son time. He loved to watch me sweat. But my Father was a very knowledgeable shooter and we talked about Kieth who was my Father's favorite followed by Col. Cooper and Skeeter. O'Conner and Askins were also on his list along with Ross Seyfried who was also one of my personal favorites. I don't read the gun rags much any more as l like the more classic firearms and l dont care much for plastic pistols and black rifles. And that is what seems to be the trend in firearms at the moment. I don't care if other people have those guns but they just don't interest me. But l do love my 3 screw Rugers and classic post war S&W revolvers. The guns they build today don't seem to be as well fitted and finished. I still think the only 44 mag load is 22 grains of 2400 and a 250 grain Kieth bullet. It worked in the 50s when Elmer developed it still works today. A nolser partition still works in my rifles so I don't get into all the bonded and solid rifle bullets. I don't shoot game much past 300 yards so standard short and long action rifle cartridges work for me hunting. I tend to hold with mass is constant and velocity is effervescent. I prefer heavier bullets for caliber vs lighter and faster. But what works for me dosent mean others don't have to give up searching for what works for them.
The S&W MODEL 24 with the 1950 4 inch barrel blank just has a look about it..... That's why Smith and Wesson brought out the mountain gun 44 mag. with the 1950 barrel blank ...I have a 3 foot stack of SHOOTING TIMES with all his articles...He was my main man...And for those that don't know the magnums use the 1955 barrel blanks....Thanks for the post honering this man who was a true ICON.....
My shooting life started in 1971 with a Colt Woodsman Match Target which I still have. Skeeter and Elmer Keith were my tutors in those early days and I still think of them when bringing out my Super Blackhawk and M28. A Skeeter quote I remember (more or less) when he confronted an "unbidden guest" from across the southern border. On seeing the "subway size bore" of the revolver, the guest said "that's the beegest darn peestol I ever see".
In addition to Skeeter Skelton on Handguns there is Skeeter Skelton's Handgun Tales. I am lucky to have both in soft cover and hard cover. I wish someone would reprint his books for new readers to read.
This brings back a lot of great memories. I grew up on Skeeter Skelton , Elmer Keith and Bill Jordan. Jordan was one of the reasons I joined the Marines.
My favorite Skeeter line was this tongue-in-cheek tribute to Bill Jordan's writing skills, "When he wants something good to read - he writes it himself."
I have enjoyed Skeeter since the early sixties. I liked when he reviewed guns and wrote what he didn't like about it also. He usually called the head of the company and told them about it. I also liked when he mentioned his son Bart as I was about his age. Aside from his 44 Special loads, he also had 38 Special and 9mm loads which I used and enjoyed for years. 6 gr of Unique and 115 gr lead or fmj bullet matched to surplus Canadian 9mm smg ammo available at that time. My S&W M39 ate it up. Thanks Skeeter.
Well done video, my compliments, I liked and subscribed. Skeeter Skelton was one of my favorites and thanks to his writings the 44 Special is one of my most cherished cartridges. thanks again and good shooting!
What a great handgun writer and shooter , Skeeter had a wealth of of knowledge, I always read his articles and writings ! It left me inspired and I too followed with my handgun shooting and hunting!
DAMN!!! I actually had a copy of the Shooting Times Oct. 1980 "Skeeter Skelton on Handguns" issue. It was one of the first gun magazines I ever bought, at 16 years old. Kept it for decades. Never realized what it was worth, and disposed of it about five years ago. Blast it... now I'm kickin' myself. Hard!
Read his articles every month from the age of 12, to his passing in 1988. Still revisit them from time to time . I will be 67 in December, if I live that long .
In 1981 at the National Rifle Association, I was fortunate enough to meet Skeeter and mentioned that I would really like to see Smith and Wesson to re-introduce their Model 24 .44 Special handgun. Skeeter smiled, took me by the arm and said "Let's go talk where it's quiet". He agreed with me and said "See that guy at the Smith and Wesson booth, go tell him what you told me." So I did. The guy was Roy Jinks, Smith and Wesson's historian. Jinks, to put it mildly was not interested in the idea. However, two years later in 1983, Smith and Wesson did re-introduce the Model 24 in a special run and I was able to get one in December of that year. Smith and Wesson sold every Model 24 they made.
Please do an article on Bob Milick , not sure if that's spelt correctly his hand loading technique was just incredible. I used to devour every word of his articles , I learnt so much back in the late 70s and 1980s, sadly he passed away somewhere near the end of the 80s . Maybe an article on Bob would be a fitting memorial and tribute as well .
Born in 1947, I read a lot of Skeeter's writing and was influenced by it. I bought a Colt SAA in .44 Special and bagged several deer with it using a load recommended by Skeeter. He also liked the .32/20 and I ended up with 5 of them, pistols and rifles. When he passed away it shook me as if I had lost a close friend.
I have both his books and most of the Shooting Times issues where he published his contributions. The era of great gunwriters is gone, there won't be another Elmer Keith, Charlie Askins, Bill Jordan, Townsend Whelen and other great scribes. The world is a poorer place without them.
I became interested in guns in High School. Books, magazines, and television, in many ways added to the topic of guns and shooting in ways the internet cannot match. I waited patiently for each new issue of Shooting Times and Guns and Ammo. The internet is fun, but lacks the romance of print media created by writers like Skeeter Skelton, Charles Askins, and Jack O’Conner. Sadly we recently lost another great one, Mike Venturino. Thank you for doing these videos. I just discovered your channel.
I used to look forward to monthly issues of Shooting Times magazine where the articles written by Skeeter Skelton were regularly published. Much of the time reloading information was included on many revolver cartridges including the .357 magnum and the 44 magnum.
Thanks for a great video on a fine writer, yarn spinner and Texas gentleman. They don't come any better, and danged if you didn't hit most of the high points! Via Con Dios
Thankyou for the video. I have both of his books. I think I have read most of his magazine articles . His load of 7.5 grains of Unique and a 240 grain SWC is my favorite load in full size 44 Specials. It's a bit too warm to shoot comfortably in the Charter Arms Bull-Dog. 6 grains is about right in that little pocket rocket I miss Skeeter Dobe and even Jug Thanks again
This was a great requiem for Skeeter Skelton. I’ve read a lot of great works by great gun writers, but Skeeter is my favorite. Never got turned onto the .44 Special from his writing, but I enjoyed those articles, nevertheless.
71+ year old FUD here. I remember reading an article by Skeeter when as a border patrol agent he said he introduced the Cutts Compensator of his Thompson SMG to the belly of a ne’r-do-well. That’s my paraphrase, but I’ve always remembered the line. It was probably in Shooting Times
I grew up during that period and bought every gun magazine that came out every month. Skeeter was one of my favorites, or possibly my absolutely favorite handgun writer. But I have to admit that for most of my life I have been far more interested in rifles than handguns.
I never met him. In fact I've never even heard of him. But he reminds me of my Dad in a way, my Dad being born in 1927. He obviously was a patriotic American hero. Do you know anything about his father, or even his grandfather? Thanks for the story and video. Howdy 👋🤠 from Tom in 🇨🇱Texas🇨🇱
No, but your reply makes us want to find out more about his paternal line. We’ll definitely comment again if we find anything out. Love that he reminds you of your dad!
Skeeter's father passed when Skeeter was just 10 years old. Joe Bishop's (of the Me & Joe stories) dad was a father figure to Skeeter in his formative years. He never mentioned a grandfather in his writings.
We are going to add more to these with additional info in future sequel episodes to each person we feature. There is enough info to keep these going for a while and we’ll definitely feature more about Skeeter. Thanks for watching!
I think he talked Colt into bringing back the single action army in 44 special back in the early 1980 I also have shot the 44 special skeleton load and it is still a good load
I was fortunate enough to have known Skeeter, his wife Sally and son Bart. All are now gone. Bart recently passed away at the age of 60 at his home in Deming New Mexico.
Why don't you express the need to live on less and save more? Start saving early and put in accounts that make money. The more time, the more money the more time to enjoy.
Fewer of us every year that
were fortunate enough to grow
up during the Skelton/Jordan/
Askins/Keith years
We hope we can introduce these guys to the younger generation with these videos. They definitely need to be read and known about so their legacy lives on.
You are so right Brother...ridin' the river gets more lonely every year.
I wish I still had all of my magazines from back then.
@@wvherk
Yeah
I remember that all the magnum
hunting rifle fever was going on
back then
I'd like to show some younger
people the articles that were
written about how futile it was
to try to hunt with a 30/30,
45/70, 300 savage, etc.
and that everybody needed
7 magnums, 300 magnums,
etc. to have a chance at
taking a deer.
I bought into it for a while.
Indeed.
The best times in my life were spent reading his writings. Dobe Grant became a very real person to me and I can tell you I was sick for days when I learned of Skeeters death.
Glad you appreciate this content. We are going to do more on Elmer Keith, Bill Jordan etc...
Yeah! Me too!
Got to meet Bill Jordan at the NRA NPSC once. He and Skeeter were my heroes.
Loved reading his articles as a teenage boy learning about guns.
I loved reading Skeeter’s articles in Shooting Times back in the 70s
Great stuff for sure
i use to read all his writings. miss him Jorden and Keith,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
We are going to do more of these videos and Keith and Jordan are on our short list of people to feature.
That you for this. I've always felt Skeeter was a friend I never met.
Absolutely!
Well put my friend. Well put.
I love this episode!
I was a subscriber to Shooting Times magazine and soon realized that Skeeter was special. The handgun that I bought because of his writing wasn’t a .44 Magnum or even a .357 Magnum. It was a Smith & Wesson Model 17 K-22.
He told the story of seeing a picture of Gary Cooper with a new S&W revolver. This was about a year after the end of WWII, civilian production of firearms took a while to get ramped up again after the war. But Gary Cooper had a brand new K-22. Skeeter said that he decided he needed one just like Cooper’s and so did I.
I found one in the mid-‘70s at Montgomery Ward. I don’t remember exactly how much it was but I knew that I had to have it! Now, after almost 50 years, I still have that K-22 and have shot thousands of rounds through it. It may be my most useful handgun. I think of Skeeter’s article every time that I shoot it.
I never met Skeeter Skelton but he was my friend. Every time that I read one of his articles or stories, I knew that I could count on him as a “ compadre”.
I miss you old friend!
We love to hear stories like this. Thanks for watching!
One of my favorite gun writers of all times and got me learning about firearms when I started reading his gun articles in 1972. His stories of Doby Grant, Jugs Johnson, his childhood adventures during the Depression, in the Border Patrol, and as a Sheriff are still among my favorite stories from any gun writer. His work on the 44 Special inspired me to own several models in that caliber as well as reload for the caliber. His passing in 1988 and his son's (Bart Skelton) passing last year was a loss for the gun world. I still enjoy his stories from old collected articles and one of his books.
We need a new generation of these types of writers to keep the legacy going!
@@LTArms We had another writer (recently passed) Duke Venturino who also pushed the lure of older calibers, the Colt Single Action, and even really funny stories about guns, gun buying, and his own mistakes. He wasn't in the realm of Skeeter in storytelling, but dead on in the world of old guns and reloading (his big specialty). We have some newer ones now like Dr Will Dabbs (ex-Army SF pilot and gun aficionado). But yes, I agree we need a new generation of Skeeter's (and even Duke's) with their stories, gun lore, and just plain common sense learned from life experiences.
That man made me spend a lot of money and I love him for it
Absolutely! haha!
ME TOO! 😂
❤
He was my favorite gun writer of all time. I was so sad when he passed away back in 1988. He had been sick for a while, but I really thought he would be back with more of his wonderful writing. I especially enjoyed his "Me and Joe" episodes and his Dobie Grant tales. There will never be another Skeeter. Not ever.
Agree 100%
0:10 😮favorite gun writer of all time. Just good unfussy style and seemed to understand we his readers were on budget. A true loss and a great Patriot😢😢
He did some great stuff with amazing story telling! Truly a great loss
Still miss him to this day still love my 44's rip
Thank you, thank you, thank you! He's one of my best memories .
You're very welcome. glad you enjoyed it. We are going to do more on Elmer Keith, Bill Jordan etc...
The absolute best gun writer of all time and I sure do appreciate and miss him
He definitely was! Surely missed.
My favorite gun writer.😢
I read all his articles with great anticipation and fondness back when I came of age in the early 1980s. Jeff Cooper's work as well. Both are sorely missed.
Glad you mentioned Cooper, he is on our list of people to feature as well!
Birthed on the 4th day of ‘52, I teethed on Skeeter’s stories and articles, still read them today with a gleam in my eyes.
Love it!
Every vacation , time is spent reading “Good Friends Good Guns Good Whiskey” . I‘ve had it since it came out . And am never going to stop.
Love to hear that!
I read and reread his articles all the time, they taught me a lot.
Great gun writer on handguns and I always read his articles and story’s! He had the knowledge and experience!
Definitely. We need more like him!
Skeeter was a legend, Paul Harrell was one of the last.
Thank you for this video. The year he passed, I bought 2 624 smiths. I later sold them for college money. I wish I still had them both. Life is strange. I might get a 624 three inch yet. What a role model of a man.
He definitely was. Get that 624 and have some fun!
One of the best, read him from the first, he brought characters and handguns to life!
Absolutely! Thanks for watching and commenting!
I read 'Me and Joe' when I was in high school... 1970!!! Loved his work. I read Shooting Times especially just for his articles (well also for Jeff Coopers to!)
Nice! We are going to do a Jeff Cooper video some time soon too.
And it's said he was good to ride the river with...
RIP skeeter & thanks
Always enjoyed his writings, he is missed. RIP sir.
100% agree
I was a huge fan of Skeeter in the late 70's through to his passing. I really missed his writing and sadly let my subscription to Shooting times lapse. I restarted it several years ago. His passion for handguns spurred mine and I still have it in my 70's.
Love to hear stuff like that! Wish he was still writing
I had the honor to be introduced to Skeeter by his son Bart who worked for me as a State Trooper in 1985 then I was transferred to Deming in 1988 where we became friends and had weekly conversations until his health failed him he was a great lawman and writer both he and Bart are gone now adios compadre
That’s amazing that you had the opportunity to work with him!
R.I.P Skeeter : Loved your Handgun articles. Say hi 👋 to your buddy Joe up there……..
He wrote great stuff!
I couldn't wait for Shooting Times to hit the mail box every month. To read Hipshots and Ask Skeeter. I truly loved the Me & Joe stories along with the Jug Johnson and Dobe Grant stories.
Definitely, fantastic stuff!
@@LTArms Skeeter was a great writer he just happened to write about handguns and reloading. Jack O'Conner was a great writer and an English professor. Elmer was a great engineer by nature if not by education and a good story teller but not that great at grammer and sentence structure. If the people who edited his copy are to be believed. They were probably right as his formal education was limited to about the eighth grade. But l love reading all three of them to this day.
@@johncantrell8904 I've heard the Keith editing tales haha! We will be featuring both him and O'Conner in future episodes too!
@@LTArms I am 52. My Dad was a shooter. He didn't play catch or those kind of dad things. He taught Mr about firearms, shooting and reloading for fun stuff and we worked on his different projects for father / son time. He loved to watch me sweat. But my Father was a very knowledgeable shooter and we talked about Kieth who was my Father's favorite followed by Col. Cooper and Skeeter. O'Conner and Askins were also on his list along with Ross Seyfried who was also one of my personal favorites. I don't read the gun rags much any more as l like the more classic firearms and l dont care much for plastic pistols and black rifles. And that is what seems to be the trend in firearms at the moment. I don't care if other people have those guns but they just don't interest me. But l do love my 3 screw Rugers and classic post war S&W revolvers. The guns they build today don't seem to be as well fitted and finished. I still think the only 44 mag load is 22 grains of 2400 and a 250 grain Kieth bullet. It worked in the 50s when Elmer developed it still works today. A nolser partition still works in my rifles so I don't get into all the bonded and solid rifle bullets. I don't shoot game much past 300 yards so standard short and long action rifle cartridges work for me hunting. I tend to hold with mass is constant and velocity is effervescent. I prefer heavier bullets for caliber vs lighter and faster. But what works for me dosent mean others don't have to give up searching for what works for them.
The S&W MODEL 24 with the 1950 4 inch barrel blank just has a look about it..... That's why Smith and Wesson brought out the mountain gun 44 mag. with the 1950 barrel blank ...I have a 3 foot stack of SHOOTING TIMES with all his articles...He was my main man...And for those that don't know the magnums use the 1955 barrel blanks....Thanks for the post honering this man who was a true ICON.....
You're welcome! And yes, the 24 just has the look...
My shooting life started in 1971 with a Colt Woodsman Match Target which I still have. Skeeter and Elmer Keith were my tutors in those early days and I still think of them when bringing out my Super Blackhawk and M28. A Skeeter quote I remember (more or less) when he confronted an "unbidden guest" from across the southern border. On seeing the "subway size bore" of the revolver, the guest said "that's the beegest darn peestol I ever see".
Fantastic!
In addition to Skeeter Skelton on Handguns there is Skeeter Skelton's Handgun Tales. I am lucky to have both in soft cover and hard cover.
I wish someone would reprint his books for new readers to read.
Skeet and Bill Jordan were two of the greatest!
Absolutely!
This brings back a lot of great memories. I grew up on Skeeter Skelton , Elmer Keith and Bill Jordan. Jordan was one of the reasons I joined the Marines.
We have a Bill Jordan video (as well as Keith) in the works. Thanks for watching!
I used to read all his articles. Definitely one of the great gun writers.
Thank you for this video. I read his articles in Shooting Times before I owned a handgun. One if my influences in the handgun world.
You're welcome!
My favorite Skeeter line was this tongue-in-cheek tribute to Bill Jordan's writing skills, "When he wants something good to read - he writes it himself."
That’s great stuff right there!
He also had a thing for 32-20 revolvers. Got me to buy one....
That's a cool gun to have! Not a lot out there.
I loved Skeeter so much, I named a dog after him!
I was born in '57 and literally grew up in my gun hobby, reading Skeeter's stuff.
Love that you named your dog after him!
Because of Skeeter I 've never met a .44 Special I didn't like. They are indeed special and so was he!
Definitely agree!
I have enjoyed Skeeter since the early sixties. I liked when he reviewed guns and wrote what he didn't like about it also. He usually called the head of the company and told them about it. I also liked when he mentioned his son Bart as I was about his age. Aside from his 44 Special loads, he also had 38 Special and 9mm loads which I used and enjoyed for years. 6 gr of Unique and 115 gr lead or fmj bullet matched to surplus Canadian 9mm smg ammo available at that time. My S&W M39 ate it up. Thanks Skeeter.
Thank you for watching and this comment!
My favorite gun writer. The only reason I subscribed to Shooting Times for 30 years.
Wish there were more modern writers like Skeeter for sure. Gun mags have changed a lot.
@LTArms I do enjoy Layne Simpson. John Barsness was excellent but has retired.
Well done video, my compliments, I liked and subscribed. Skeeter Skelton was one of my favorites and thanks to his writings the 44 Special is one of my most cherished cartridges. thanks again and good shooting!
Thanks for watching and subscribing! We are going to do more on Elmer Keith, Bill Jordan etc...
What a great handgun writer and shooter , Skeeter had a wealth of of knowledge, I always read his articles and writings ! It left me inspired and I too followed with my handgun shooting and hunting!
Was a huge inspiration!
Skeeter was a great writer.
Absolutely. His stories need to live on!
I have both of Skeeter's books and the paperback one too. I subscribed to "Shooting Times" for years just to read his articles.
Some great stuff in those books and articles!
He was the best.
We need more Skeeters!
Yep, 5" S&W Model 27, my favorite centerfire revolver...due mostly to Skeeter Skelton's writings! The "N Frame" in 357 worked just right for me.
They are fantastic! Thanks for watching/commenting!
DAMN!!! I actually had a copy of the Shooting Times Oct. 1980 "Skeeter Skelton on Handguns" issue. It was one of the first gun magazines I ever bought, at 16 years old. Kept it for decades. Never realized what it was worth, and disposed of it about five years ago. Blast it... now I'm kickin' myself. Hard!
It is surprising how much some of those old publications are worth.
I loved this man’s writings and throughly enjoyed his articles and stories
He did some wonderful work!
I had the book" I Remember Skeeter ." An excellent read.
They should republish some of this stuff so it is more readily available
Yes, it really is.
Read his articles every month from the age of 12, to his passing in 1988. Still revisit them from time to time . I will be 67 in December, if I live that long .
In 1981 at the National Rifle Association, I was fortunate enough to meet Skeeter and mentioned that I would really like to see Smith and Wesson to re-introduce their Model 24 .44 Special handgun. Skeeter smiled, took me by the arm and said "Let's go talk where it's quiet". He agreed with me and said "See that guy at the Smith and Wesson booth, go tell him what you told me." So I did. The guy was Roy Jinks, Smith and Wesson's historian. Jinks, to put it mildly was not interested in the idea. However, two years later in 1983, Smith and Wesson did re-introduce the Model 24 in a special run and I was able to get one in December of that year. Smith and Wesson sold every Model 24 they made.
Awesome story! You were very fortunate to meet him and be a part of that bit of history!
Sure enjoyed reading his articles and stories, I do miss him.
We need more like him in this current generation
Please do an article on Bob Milick , not sure if that's spelt correctly his hand loading technique was just incredible. I used to devour every word of his articles , I learnt so much back in the late 70s and 1980s, sadly he passed away somewhere near the end of the 80s . Maybe an article on Bob would be a fitting memorial and tribute as well .
Good suggestion, we'll add him to our list. Thanks!
Nice recap of an interesting pistolero and gun writer. Thanks for the memories.
You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
I loved his writing and still have his books and magazine articles ! Great video !
He was a great writer. Thank you for watching!
Born in 1947, I read a lot of Skeeter's writing and was influenced by it. I bought a Colt SAA in .44 Special and bagged several deer with it using a load recommended by Skeeter. He also liked the .32/20 and I ended up with 5 of them, pistols and rifles. When he passed away it shook me as if I had lost a close friend.
Have always been interested in large caliber pistol hunting but never had the chance to do it. Sounds like you have a nice collection!
Great video. Your introduction says it all.
Glad you liked it
Excellent video by the way … and thank you 🙏
Glad you enjoyed it!
I have both his books and most of the Shooting Times issues where he published his contributions. The era of great gunwriters is gone, there won't be another Elmer Keith, Charlie Askins, Bill Jordan, Townsend Whelen and other great scribes. The world is a poorer place without them.
Thanks for watching! We are going to do more on Elmer Keith, Bill Jordan etc...
Good show
Thanks
You're welcome. Thanks for watching!
He was one of my favorites
He is surely missed!
I developed my love of the. .44 Special because of his writings. Loved his work.
Good to hear! Thanks for watching!!
Exceptional man appreciate you bringing him to my attention.
No problem, thanks for watching!
I became interested in guns in High School. Books, magazines, and television, in many ways added to the topic of guns and shooting in ways the internet cannot match. I waited patiently for each new issue of Shooting Times and Guns and Ammo.
The internet is fun, but lacks the romance of print media created by writers like Skeeter Skelton, Charles Askins, and Jack O’Conner.
Sadly we recently lost another great one, Mike Venturino.
Thank you for doing these videos. I just discovered your channel.
Thank you for that great comment. Print has a different feel to it that can’t be matched by a computer screen.
I used to look forward to monthly issues of Shooting Times magazine where the articles written by Skeeter Skelton were regularly published. Much of the time reloading information was included on many revolver cartridges including the .357 magnum and the 44 magnum.
He had some great reloading info in those articles. We still use them at the shop!
I miss ol' Skeeter, and now even Bart's gone.
Thanks for a great video on a fine writer, yarn spinner and Texas gentleman. They don't come any better, and danged if you didn't hit most of the high points! Via Con Dios
Glad you enjoyed it
That's the way my dad and I felt about scooter Skelton a friend that we never met
Love it!
Some of the best books / stories I have read were some of skeeters books
Definitely! They need to be reprinted for future generations
Thankyou for the video.
I have both of his books. I think I have read most of his magazine articles .
His load of 7.5 grains of Unique and a 240 grain SWC is my favorite load in full size 44 Specials. It's a bit too warm to shoot comfortably in the Charter Arms Bull-Dog. 6 grains is about right in that little pocket rocket
I miss Skeeter Dobe and even Jug
Thanks again
Sure do miss Skeeter...have all his books.
I read Skeeter starting in 1972
Nice! Thanks for watching the video!
I remember being a kid reading his and Keith Jordans articles
They all did some great work. We need more writers like them today!
This was a great requiem for Skeeter Skelton. I’ve read a lot of great works by great gun writers, but Skeeter is my favorite. Never got turned onto the .44 Special from his writing, but I enjoyed those articles, nevertheless.
Thank you and thanks for watching. We have some more videos on these classic gunwriters in the works!
71+ year old FUD here. I remember reading an article by Skeeter when as a border patrol agent he said he introduced the Cutts Compensator of his Thompson SMG to the belly of a ne’r-do-well. That’s my paraphrase, but I’ve always remembered the line. It was probably in Shooting Times
Nothing wrong with being a FUD! He had some great stories
Best writer ever
He did some great work!
Great man. Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
I grew up during that period and bought every gun magazine that came out every month. Skeeter was one of my favorites, or possibly my absolutely favorite handgun writer. But I have to admit that for most of my life I have been far more interested in rifles than handguns.
He did a great job writing those stories
Very enjoyable.
Glad you enjoyed it
More than anyone else he got me into shooting handguns through his articles.
He wrote same great stuff and influenced a lot of people!
I loved his stories he told I believe that was in Shooting Times magazine. I learned a lot about defensive reloading.
He had a gift for storytelling
Not only do I miss his articles but I miss those days when it was considered politically acceptable to enjoy and express your love of handguns
100%
I read a lot of his writings.
He was great! We are going to do more on Elmer Keith, Bill Jordan etc...
I never met him. In fact I've never even heard of him.
But he reminds me of my Dad in a way, my Dad being born in
1927.
He obviously was a patriotic American hero.
Do you know anything about his father, or even his grandfather?
Thanks for the story and video.
Howdy 👋🤠 from Tom in
🇨🇱Texas🇨🇱
No, but your reply makes us want to find out more about his paternal line. We’ll definitely comment again if we find anything out. Love that he reminds you of your dad!
Skeeter's father passed when Skeeter was just 10 years old. Joe Bishop's (of the Me & Joe stories) dad was a father figure to Skeeter in his formative years. He never mentioned a grandfather in his writings.
Nice. Thanks.
Most welcome
Was hoping to hear about Skeeter and the 41 Magnum
We are going to add more to these with additional info in future sequel episodes to each person we feature. There is enough info to keep these going for a while and we’ll definitely feature more about Skeeter. Thanks for watching!
@LTArms Cool...I love the 41 Magnum and wish there was more content about it. I believe it was supposed to be a 5 shot K frame
I do wish they would issue reprints of his books!
So do we!
I think he talked Colt into bringing back the single action army in 44 special back in the early 1980 I also have shot the 44 special skeleton load and it is still a good load
It is super comfortable to shoot. Not a wrist breaker, can shoot that load all afternoon!
Sounds like some good reading
Definitely! We wish they would reprint some of this stuff
Love this man. He left us way too soon, as did his son. Damn Shame.
Agreed!
I was fortunate enough to have known Skeeter, his wife Sally and son Bart.
All are now gone.
Bart recently passed away at the age of 60 at his home in Deming New Mexico.
That's amazing that you had the fortune of knowing them personally
I have drawers full of revolvers and a shop full of casting and reloading equipment that I can credit to Elmer and Skeeter.
Good to hear you are keeping their legacies alive! Thanks for watching!
Nice, just subbed, and, my current honey is an early SW41, 5.5”, loves cci sv
Very nice! Great pistol. Thanks for the subscribe!
Great american
Definitely!
He went to early!!!!!
Absolutely. We could have used more articles and stories for sure!
The last of the mounted Border Patrol teams are still active. Not the last.
Good to know!
Why don't you express the need to live on less and save more? Start saving early and put in accounts that make money. The more time, the more money the more time to enjoy.
RIP Skeeter. You are sorely missed...
He definitely is. We need some younger folks to take up the craft and carry his legacy.