Jeff Cooper: The Most Influential Marine You've Never Heard Of - Leatherneck Magazine by Barrett Tillman

Jeff Cooper: The Most Influential Marine You’ve Never Heard Of – Leatherneck Magazine by Barrett Tillman

April 15, 2026 300leonidas Comments 0 Comment

Article used with permission from Leatherneck Magazine and the Author, Barett Tillman

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Instagram

#TheGuru on perhaps the first “Tricycle” at #Gunsite?

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#TheGuru on perhaps the first “Tricycle” at #Gunsite?

2 days ago

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1/9

Our latest scholarship recipients at Gunsite, May 29, 2026. Carlos Roman (E ticket),
Anna Componovo (second in the shootoff),
Lindy, Trevor Coningham (won the shootoff), and Chris Rabago. Outstanding!

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Our latest scholarship recipients at Gunsite, May 29, 2026. Carlos Roman (E ticket), Anna Componovo (second in the shootoff), Lindy, Trevor Coningham (won the shootoff), and Chris Rabago. Outstanding!

2 days ago

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2/9

300M dead center hit with a Classic Steyr Mannlicher. #jeffcooper

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300M dead center hit with a Classic Steyr Mannlicher. #jeffcooper

2 weeks ago

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3/9

It was a great Cooper Class this last week at #gunsite! Our scholarship recipient, Daniel Pinet, is a deputy sheriff from Kentucky. He received an E ticket! Nice job Daniel!

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It was a great Cooper Class this last week at #gunsite! Our scholarship recipient, Daniel Pinet, is a deputy sheriff from Kentucky. He received an E ticket! Nice job Daniel!

2 weeks ago

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4/9

During the Korean War Jeff became involved with the training of Nationalist Chinese irregulars, some of whom were rather small and a bit intimidated at the thought of using a 45-caliber machine pistol. Here he demonstrates that two M-3 “Grease-Guns”
can be managed quite easily at once — with fair effectiveness at short range.
(Some may note that at that time Jeff had not yet promulgated Rule III.) #greasegun

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During the Korean War Jeff became involved with the training of Nationalist Chinese irregulars, some of whom were rather small and a bit intimidated at the thought of using a 45-caliber machine pistol. Here he demonstrates that two M-3 “Grease-Guns” can be managed quite easily at once — with fair effectiveness at short range. (Some may note that at that time Jeff had not yet promulgated Rule III.) #greasegun

3 weeks ago

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5/9

Happy 106th Birthday Colonel Cooper! With every year that passes we miss you more and more!

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Happy 106th Birthday Colonel Cooper! With every year that passes we miss you more and more!

3 weeks ago

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6/9

Can you identify these 5 of 6 original Combat Masters? Which one is missing? #legends

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Can you identify these 5 of 6 original Combat Masters? Which one is missing? #legends

4 weeks ago

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7/9

We had Ai restore this photo of The Colonel. What do you think? Ya or Nah? Regardless, that’s a nice big Buck! #grok

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We had Ai restore this photo of The Colonel. What do you think? Ya or Nah? Regardless, that’s a nice big Buck! #grok

1 month ago

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8/9

Ian Smith & Jeff Cooper. Rhodesia, 1977.

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Ian Smith & Jeff Cooper. Rhodesia, 1977.

1 month ago

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9/9

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Links:

links

Our Mission:

Our purpose is to promote and perpetuate the teachings and philosophy of Jeff Cooper, with special emphasis on the proper techniques for the use of small arms, the importance of self-reliance and the individual right and duty of self-defense.

The Foundation awards scholarships for training and education in the Cooper tradition. In addition, it preserves, archives and maintains Colonel Cooper’s writings and personal collections so that they may provide study and learning opportunities and inspiration for generations to come.

Photo Gallery

Early work with the service auto pistol at the F.B.I. range.

Jeff racing his new Porsche.

Paralee Cooper marries Bruce Edgar Heath, 22 June 1968.

Baby Jane Ellen

On the front porch of #8 Robin Road. Jeff, Parry (holding Alexander), Janelle, Lindy and family friend, John Lyon.

Kudu, taken in Namibia in 1988. Taken with rifle and finished with pistol.

Random Quote:

“One cannot legislate the maniacs off the street … these maniacs can only be shut down by an armed citizenry. Indeed bad things can happen in nations where the citizenry is armed, but not as bad as those which seem to be threatening our disarmed citizenry in this country at this time.”

Jeff Cooper

Products

Yukon Journal by Jeff Cooper - Free Shipping!!! $50.00
To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth by Jeff Cooper - Free Shipping!!! $50.00
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Shotluck by Jeff Cooper - Free Shipping!!! $50.00