About Us
McGowen Rifle Barrels started in 1959 when Harry McGowen, once
a hardware salesman traded a lawn mower for a lathe. A self taught
gunsmith mainly working on his own guns branched out and evolved
into a master gunsmith.
In 1968 when the Gun Control Act came into being, Harry put his
focus on barrel making. Being a self-taught tinkerer, he learned
the ins and outs of rifle barrel making and with a little help
from some of the best names in the industry he learned everything
there is to rifle barrel making. Along the way he taught a few
of today's best known rifle barrel makers.
Over the years Harry gained a reputation for producing some of
the finest rifle barrels in the industry. And he continued to
build upon this reputation for the next 39 years. At a spry 78
years old, Harry decided he was due a little time for himself
and his wife Betty.
In June of 2007, Harry handed over the reigns of McGowen Rifle
Barrels to Ron and his staff of firearms professionals.
The move from St. Anne Illinois to Kalispell Montana took 10
days to accomplish and four semi-truckloads. But we are happy
to say that the company is now up and running to perfection.
The Company name was changed in June 2007 to McGowen Precision
Barrels, LLC.
The staff are all professionals and are some of the best in the
industry. And their skills continue to grow each and every day.
Most of them have years of experience in the gun business and
particularly in the rifle barrel making business. They were chosen
because of their dedication to quality. We started with the idea
of making one of the finest rifle barrels in the industry today
and all of our staff share in this philosophy.
Customer service is our #1 priority.
As professionals we have gained the respect and following from
our customers because we are straight forward. We don't give you
a tired old line that we know isn't true. The respect that we
have gained in the industry as a company and as individuals is
from telling the truth at all times, no matter what.
Our shop is located in northwest Montana in the Flathead Valley.
Home of Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west
of the Mississippi. We are also only miles from Glacier National
Park, one of this countries true treasures.
We are open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except
on holidays.
