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Mike Venturino In Hospice


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On 5/29/2024 at 2:21 PM, Wyatt Earp SASS#1628L said:

I had the pleasure of meeting him at EOT 1990 in Coto de Caza, CA. I was walking by a row of vendors tents when I happened to look over and see him sitting in one with lots of frilly and lacy items. I walked over to him, shook his and thanked him for all the great magazine articles. I then kinda chided him for selling frilly women's items instead of guns. He said it was his wife's tent and he was just minding the store for her. I said, sure Mike and rolled my eyes. He got a kick out of it. I then saw him later in a top gun shoot off. He was shooting an original Winchester 1873 musket. Here's to him beating this.

I have a vest she made. 

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The latest from Mike:

I have experienced a miracle and found my own personal angel. Last Wednesday May 22 four doctors stood by my bedside and grimly told Yvonne and I that there was no hope. My only choice was to determine where I wanted to die. True that. I was put in ICU where I met my angel. She just wouldn’t give up on me. With some research she determined a med that might help and a doc to prescribe it. My blood pressure at tha time was about 70/50. The new med started raising my blood pressure, making taking another med possible. I started gaining strength so I’m now home: a place I never expected to see again.

I’m not entirely out of the woods. The entire bottom could drop out. And I have to carry around an infusion device, probably for as long as I live. As for writing more and shooting I’m not sure. I’m just going to take a hiatus for awhile.

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Thanks for the good news!

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Angel of God, my guardian dear,

To whom His Love commits me here,

Ever this day, be at my side,

to light and guard,

To rule and guide. Irish ☘️ Pat

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Mike Venturino’s articles and books got me interested in Cowboy guns and eventually joining SASS. I have learned so much from him through his articles, books and nowadays the internet. 
I used to have a Marlin 336 Cowboy in 38-55. His reload information helped me create hand loads that were so accurate from that gun that if I rested it I could get 5 shots into a little circle that you could cover it, well most of it, with a quarter at 100 yards and the factory buckhorn sights. In truth I only pulled that off once. Most of the time 5 shots would be a 1 1/2”-2” group. Freehand standing I could hit a 4x6 inch steel block every shot. 
I still kick myself for selling that gun.

My point is, I am sure that without Mike’s articles and tables I may not have ever seen that kind of accuracy from that gun and I had a great time doing it. 
The same goes for his info on Cowboy handgun loads. 
I derived so much fun and enjoyment just by reading and following his advice. I am pretty sure I cannot say that about any other gun writer. 
I have always hoped to meet Mike one day. Maybe it can still happen. I hope and pray. 
 

Thank you Mike Venturino. Thank you. 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

RIP Mike, Prayers up for family and friends.

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RIP Mike, I have 3 of his books and I've always enjoyed his articles in Guns and Ammo and other magazines. Prayers for his family.

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Sad news indeed, he & his writings did much to support & grow interest in our sport as well as other Western & Black Powder sports.

His writing style was informative with down to earth commentary & a dash of humor to go with the data.

When he sold the Uberti 1873 in 38-40 WCF he used in "Shooting Leverguns of the Old West" I was fortunate enough to buy it.

The shooting community at large is is lessened by his untimely loss.

We are fortunate that he left as much information as he had gathered in print for us & future Pards to read & remember him by. 

 

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Longtime writer and GUNS Magazine Contributing Editor Mike "Duke" Venturino has died.

 

Mike passed away yesterday, June 9, 2024, at his Montana home after a short illness, surrounded by his wife Yvonne and their dogs.

A native of West Virginia, Mike was a journalism graduate of Marshall University

 

Mike has written for GUNS and American Handgunner magazines for many years, along with many other publications. He has also authored books about shooting.

 

“One of the last communications I had with Mike was regarding his monthly column deadline,” GUNS Editor Brent T. Wheat noted. “He was fighting the battle for his life, but he was worried about missing his deadline. What an amazing professional; there is no way to fill the void he leaves our magazines or the shooting world in general. Mike’s FMG family is keeping his wife Yvonne, Mike’s family, friends and countless fans in our thoughts.”

 

FMG Publications will publish further information as it becomes available.

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7 minutes ago, GUNS Magazine said:

Longtime writer and GUNS Magazine Contributing Editor Mike "Duke" Venturino has died.

 

Mike passed away yesterday, June 9, 2024, at his Montana home after a short illness, surrounded by his wife Yvonne and their dogs.

A native of West Virginia, Mike was a journalism graduate of Marshall University

 

Mike has written for GUNS and American Handgunner magazines for many years, along with many other publications. He has also authored books about shooting.

 

“One of the last communications I had with Mike was regarding his monthly column deadline,” GUNS Editor Brent T. Wheat noted. “He was fighting the battle for his life, but he was worried about missing his deadline. What an amazing professional; there is no way to fill the void he leaves our magazines or the shooting world in general. Mike’s FMG family is keeping his wife Yvonne, Mike’s family, friends and countless fans in our thoughts.”

 

FMG Publications will publish further information as it becomes available.

I am so sorry to hear this.

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Just now, Trailrider #896 said:

RIP, Duke! :(

Was that his SASS alias?

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1 hour ago, Cholla said:

Was that his SASS alias?

 

 

Iron Duke if my memory is right

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I just picked up the latest issue of American Handgunner which has two articles by Mike. One is on his favorite handguns, and the other on British .380 Revolvers. Whether these will be the last article written by Mike, depends, I guess on if AH has a backlog of articles he wrote before his final illness. As usual, the photos accompanying the articles were taken by Yvonne, a genuenly skilled photographer. RIP, Mike. Say hello to all the other great gun writers who have "crossed the Divide".

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This news greatly saddened me.  Felicity Shameless and I spent an enjoyable afternoon and dinner with Mike and his cousin Gary at Mule Camp, many moons ago.  I was surprised when he accepted my invitation.  I had followed his writings for many years, even using one of his "early" favorite loadings for the .45 Colt (6 grains of Red Dot, capped by a 250 gr. pill)  Also used a fair amount of SPG lube, when he and Steve Garbe were partners.  Have three of his books, and re-read them occasionally.  I had wanted to meet Skeeter and Bill Jordan, but the LORD saw fit to take them home before I had the chance.  I was, and am, grateful that this didn't happen with Mike.  Felicity and I will miss him.

The former Wicked Willie, now Padre Peel

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  • 3 weeks later...

So sorry to hear this.

 

Mike was my Black Powder mentor.

 

I have at least four of his books and they are well thumbed through.

 

I never met him, but I did correspond with him once or twice on the net.

 

Vaya con Dios Mike

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