More on Jack

I was filled with nostalgia reading the great article on Jack Weaver. Having read Jeff Cooper throughout my formative years of the 1960s, it was great to read about Jack Weaver and the history of what we now call modern pistol craft. The picture of the young gunmen--Jack Weaver, Jeff Cooper, Thell Reed, Eldon Carl and Ray Chapman--brought back some nice memories. We can all agree, these gentlemen are the "founding fathers" of modern pistolcraft.

Billy Miller

Via e-mail

The article about Jack Weaver was simply fantastic. I remember seeing many of the photos from the article in the classroom at Gunsite when I first took a class there in 1986.

And just so you know, the arrival of American Handgunner in the mailbox gives me a big smile every time!

C. A. Luxenberg, MD

Via e-mail

When I first met Jack Weaver, it was the mid-1970s. I was driving the sheriff's prisoner bus to Mira Loma and after dropping off the prisoners and eating, we would go over to Jack's range. Jack's shooting range was an old wooden building probably built by trustees for the deputies in the Antelope Valley to qualify every month. There was no electricity, water or heat. Jack had an old pot-belly stove which was kept going by his trustee, who also changed the targets and patched them up. Jack was a good old boy who probably didn't have an enemy in the world. He kept a worn notebook in his shirt pocket he took out every time somebody came up with a new excuse why they shot poorly. Some of the excuses were pretty original. I think he had about 200-300 of them and he kidded about turning them into a book someday. I bet he still has that notebook and it would make a great article.

At that time I was carrying a 4" S&W Mod. 66. I found out Jack did a little gunsmithing and I asked him to do an action job on it. When I got it back, it was as smooth as glass. It cost me two six packs of Budweiser, as I recall. I found out later Jack didn't like .357s because he didn't think they were as accurate as .38s and he especially didn't like stainless steel. After he did the work on my gun he shot it, and was apparently surprised to find that old 4" 66 shot pretty good--although he still didn't like it.

Jack retired in the early 1980s and in the early 1990s they built the new state prison right next to Jack's range. That range should have been declared an historical structure, but they didn't care and tore it down. Since then I've sold a whole lot of guns, but I still have that 66. It's kept loaded in my bedroom in case some idiot decides to invade my homestead.

Lee Harris

Via e-mail

I have to tell you, when I phoned Mr. Weaver to get the wheels rolling on that article he was stunned anyone would care. l found him to be humble, quiet-spoken, honest and quick to give credit to the other fellows involved. After more phone calls I realized Mr. Weaver was the real deal. A true gentleman and indeed, the man responsible for opening the door to a type of shooting that has since saved the lives of countless people of all walks of life. To call Jack Weaver an icon is to understate the obvious. Many times you hear people say "It was an honor" to do such and such, but they are often hollow words. But I can say, with absolute certainty, it's been an honor to get to know Mr. Weaver for the modest gentleman he is, and to have had a part in showcasing this man's significant life. Sometimes, being the editor ain't such a bad job after-all. Editor

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