Who can tell me anything about Harry McGowan. I've got a barreled action with his name on the barrel. Thanks.

from Illinois, started making barrels about fifty years ago, recently sold out to Montana Rifle Company, they honor him by keeping his name on the barrel business. Find a post by RIP. His signature block includes the URL.

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

http://www.mcgowenbarrel.com/

Harry did my first seveal wildcat barrels for me back in the late 70s early 80s. I was VERY please with his work.

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
from Illinois, started making barrels about fifty years ago, recently sold out to Montana Rifle Company, they honor him by keeping his name on the barrel business. Find a post by RIP. His signature block includes the URL.

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

Harry sold to Scott Duplessis of "American Gun Holdings" or something like that, not Montana Rifle Co.

They are both in Kalispell but they are not the same company.

Harry's still at it, he's about an hour away from me:

Mc Gowen Rifle Barrels
5961 Spruce Ln, St Anne, IL 60964
(815) 937-9816

An unbelievable amount of his work shows up at shows and stores around here, other than the occasional naysayer, most have only praise for his work.

Thanks for all the info. Looks like I have a keeper....

Yep,
Harry and sons are still kicking, running their gunsmithing shop, sold the barrel making to American Gun Holdings (Ron Duplessis?), and McGowen is spelled with an "E."

Harry McGowen built Mitch Carter's 577 Tyrannosaur, and that was a very accurate rifle. Just a bit of trivia.

Harry is a "Great One." Fast approaching octagenarian status.

In the early 60s MsGowen built a barreled Mauser action for me in 22 Varminter. It was the most accurate rifle I ever had and it never saw a load it didn't like. roger