Mike Venturino

gab · Post by **gab** » Thu May 30, 2024 6:23 pm

There is a thread at 24 hourcampfire that gunwriter Mike Venturino is not well .

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Thu May 30, 2024 6:50 pm

That sucks, I really enjoy his work. Get well soon!

gab · Post by **gab** » Thu May 30, 2024 7:11 pm

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthrea ... 19487741/1

Pat C · Post by **Pat C** » Thu May 30, 2024 7:31 pm

He responded on the Colt Forum that he was bed ridden , doctors are giving a medicine to strengthen the heart . That was couple days ago. Will be praying for Mike .

piller · Post by **piller** » Thu May 30, 2024 8:51 pm

Though I do not know him, he is certainly a member of the firearms community. Prayers up for his health.

KWK · Post by **KWK** » Fri May 31, 2024 12:14 am

A friend of his has posted Venturino's condition is grim. I'm sorry to read that. I have a book or two by him and will miss his writing.

Streetstar · Post by **Streetstar** » Fri May 31, 2024 1:03 am

Venturino (Duke) is a fixture in my memory of when I took up the hobby in the mid 90’s.

I likely read every article he wrote for a few years as back then, We were not overloaded with Internet information like we are now and the real gun writers who made a living at it could be counted on our fingers and toes and there were only 5 or 6 mass marketed gun magazines out there

He put a lot into his work as I recall.

I’m not one to talk about anybody in the past tense until it’s time to so I hope for sure that he can pull out of this mess

Streetstar · Post by **Streetstar** » Fri May 31, 2024 1:03 am

Venturino (Duke) is a fixture in my memory of when I took up the hobby in the mid 90’s.

I likely read every article he wrote for a few years as back then, We were not overloaded with Internet information like we are now and the real gun writers who made a living at it could be counted on our fingers and toes and there were only 5 or 6 mass marketed gun magazines out there

He put a lot into his work as I recall.

I’m not one to talk about anybody in the past tense until it’s time to so I hope for sure that he can pull out of this mess

Pat C · Post by **Pat C** » Fri May 31, 2024 6:41 am

Mike just made this message on Colt Forum . He's home with a medicine that has given him at least some strength back .
Keep on praying folks.

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Fri May 31, 2024 7:10 am

Pat, thank you for posting that. I have been a Venturino fan for decades and greatly enjoyed his development as a BPCR shooter and expert. I have had four of his books -- five counting the one he co-wrote with Steve Garbe.
Of course, one always worries about the health of a guy as big as MLV. I'm sure sending prayers that he has some more time and can get well enough to shoot and write again.
Bill

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Fri May 31, 2024 8:01 am

I am on the road and was sorry to hear this. I shot with Mike back in the 1980's and there is a video someplace of us quick drawing against each other shooting 5 bowling pins off a table. We both were using .45 Colts.

I will add him to the prayer list.

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Fri May 31, 2024 8:03 am

I am on the road and was sorry to hear this. I shot with Mike back in the 1980's and there is a video someplace of us quick drawing against each other shooting 5 bowling pins off a table. We both were using .45 Colts.

I will add him to the prayer list.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Fri May 31, 2024 12:49 pm

Mike is one of the few who had a plan and followed through with it….get educated, move to Montana, and live a life in the outdoors with his buddies, Winchester & Colt.

Accomplished.

006

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Fri May 31, 2024 12:51 pm

Never sell a kid short just because he's from West Virginia.

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Fri May 31, 2024 12:53 pm

That is great news ! Fingers crossed he makes a full recovery.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Fri May 31, 2024 1:35 pm

I have not had the pleasure to meet the man, but I certainly enjoyed his writings over the years.

Pat C · Post by **Pat C** » Fri May 31, 2024 2:56 pm

While certainly promising as what they originally told him he wouldn't make it home . What ever they gave him apparently raised his blood pressure enough that it's possibly opened the door for other meds that could buy him some time.

He has a bad heart , from previous heart attack .

kaschi · Post by **kaschi** » Fri May 31, 2024 3:13 pm

Mike is one of the best writers of all time. I've been reading his material since the early 80s when he wrote articles in Shooting Times. One of my fondest memories was when he wrote that his dad was a police chief in a small West Virginia town. He'd let Mike and a school friend borrow a department owned Thompson SMG and go out to do some target practice (imagine doing that today). Best of luck and prayers for recovery!

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Fri May 31, 2024 3:59 pm

Seems the report of Mike's demise was a bit premature! Prayer seemed to have worked a miracle, and he's at home and posted this:

Mike posted this 5hrs ago on Colt Forums!...Power of prayer.

"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.

PS: could someone put this message on the Shiloh forum? News of my impending demise make it there and I’d like to correct it now."

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat Jun 01, 2024 5:21 pm

Sorry to read of this... I passed thru MT a couple of weeks ago and thought of Mike & Yvonne. Thought I'd call, but the hour was late. I shot cowboy with him in the late '80s and we had many a discussion over what Sharps I should buy. I valued his encouragement at the NRA BPCRS Nationals at Raton. Added to my prayer list also.

Shrapnel · Post by **Shrapnel** » Sun Jun 09, 2024 6:43 pm

Mike is gone now, Yvonne texted me he is at peace. It has been a restless couple weeks hoping and praying for medical assistance to get him back on track.

This time it just wasn’t meant to be. He left the world a better place and I can testify to his great personality and truthful writing on many subjects.

I will miss our conversations and stories…

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Sun Jun 09, 2024 6:45 pm

RIP Mike, you shall be missed but not forgotten!

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Sun Jun 09, 2024 6:46 pm

My heart is sad. I have read Mike throughout his career, and bought all of his books. End of an era.

Pat C · Post by **Pat C** » Sun Jun 09, 2024 6:53 pm

RIP , God be with you.

samsi · Post by **samsi** » Sun Jun 09, 2024 7:09 pm

Dang. I never met the man but I'll miss him nonetheless, I learned more than a couple things from his writings while on my personal sixgun journey. Godspeed.

oldebear1950 · Post by **oldebear1950** » Sun Jun 09, 2024 7:15 pm

I have never met the man, but have enjoyed his magazine articles and books since I was in my 20s. I am now 73, and I pray for you Mike,
He has always been one of the reasons I enjoy having and shooting my single actions, and lever guns, and reloadong for them.

Like one of my childhood heros used to say , May the good Lord take a liking to you and yours, and keep you in his hands.

Rockrat · Post by **Rockrat** » Sun Jun 09, 2024 7:25 pm

Godspeed Sir.
Never formally met him, but enjoyed so many of his writings over the years, just as I did Skeeter Skeltons. We have lost a fountain of knowledge and a good man. Prayers for his family and all those who knew him.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sun Jun 09, 2024 8:06 pm

Rockrat wrote: ↑Sun Jun 09, 2024 7:25 pm Godspeed Sir.
Never formally met him, but enjoyed so many of his writings over the years, just as I did Skeeter Skeltons. We have lost a fountain of knowledge and a good man. Prayers for his family and all those who knew him.

+1 Rockrat. Very well put. RIP Mike. Prayers up for the whole family.

BenT · Post by **BenT** » Sun Jun 09, 2024 8:09 pm

I have learned so much from his writings over the years. A true master of his craft. He will be missed. RIP

Drawdown · Post by **Drawdown** » Sun Jun 09, 2024 8:48 pm

My prayers to his wife and family! He was a valuable resource as a writer, especially to most all our interests in Leverguns loading & shooting, and my first recollection of him was probably one my first issues of Rifle Magazine, on the subject of iron sights, a particular interest to me!

black river smith · Post by **black river smith** » Sun Jun 09, 2024 8:50 pm

I did not post earlier like others but this is sad. Ever since about 1980 after getting out of college, getting married, and having an income, I have been reading Mike's articles in the different mag's that he wrote for and buying all his books about Cowboy firearms. I still reference that accumulated information for my interests.

Darn, what a shame to Lose an interesting man.

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Sun Jun 09, 2024 9:02 pm

That is very sad, so many of the "Old Guard" are leaving us nowendays!!!!

I enjoyed his writing too but he seems to have lived a good life. Prayers for his wife, family and friends. -Tutt

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Sun Jun 09, 2024 9:35 pm

I’ve been reading his work from day one as the guns, casting bullets, old original guns in weird calibers, and general living style were comparable with mine…..like Mike, I have never watched a sports game from beginning to end….

He and Yvonne’s home, animals and pets were more important than what’s going on in the world and as I would like to admit, 99.9% of people.

He lived a good and honorable life.

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Sun Jun 09, 2024 9:46 pm

Prayer up.

JBowen · Post by **JBowen** » Sun Jun 09, 2024 9:46 pm

Sad to hear. I have been reading his articles for years and thoroughly enjoyed them as well as learned a lot. Prayers up for Mike, his family and friends.
He will be missed.

JBowen

6pt-sika · Post by **6pt-sika** » Sun Jun 09, 2024 10:25 pm

44shooter · Post by **44shooter** » Sun Jun 09, 2024 11:04 pm

RIP. I always read his articles in the magazines I get, even when they were about guns I did not have or likely to get. For his friends here, Iam sorry for your loss.

Oldncrusty · Post by **Oldncrusty** » Sun Jun 09, 2024 11:09 pm

Dang me, Dang me. They oughta take a rope and hang me for missing this thread. For sure on my Mt. Rushmore of gun writers. Prayers for the family.

barbarossa · Post by **barbarossa** » Mon Jun 10, 2024 10:55 am

A sad day for gun lovers world wide.He will be missed

Rube Burrows · Post by **Rube Burrows** » Mon Jun 10, 2024 1:04 pm

Sad to hear of another great guy and great gun guy gone to soon. May he forever live on through his works.

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Mon Jun 10, 2024 1:10 pm

Although it was not a surprise to hear of Mike's passing yesterday, it's still very sad news. He was an old school style gun writer who loved what he did, and wrote articles worth reading, and books I still go back to often. He will be sorely missed.

oldebear1950 · Post by **oldebear1950** » Mon Jun 10, 2024 1:40 pm

Although I never met Mike, I sit here with tears in my eyes, as I fell like I lost a dear friend , and indeed i did.
My prayers are with his family, as we all know, that is what is important.
May GOD be with his family and may they all know we loved him and them.
God bless them all

fordwannabe · Post by **fordwannabe** » Mon Jun 10, 2024 2:07 pm

MLV is the reason I went down the trail of obsolete lever action rifles. His articles made me excited to find weird old guns and love them as he did. I will miss his wisdom and knowledge. In a joking way (with all due respect) I gotta say that man sure did cost me a lot of money over the years. May heaven be even better than a mountain meadow in Montana.