I visit Volquartsen Customs today

[bkjeffrey]

Yea, I know, spelling. I did this on my iPhone.

I was in Carroll, IA visiting my wifes family and someone told me that Volquartsen Customs was in Carrol, IA. I did a quick google search and was pleasantly surprised to find out that we were only a few minutes from one of the most respected and well known manufacturers of precision rimfire products and accessories in the world. So we loaded up and headed out this morning. The whole drive there all I could imagine was this Mecca of target rifle shooting, I could already hear the test fire ranges before we got there. I was going through my list of things I needed to buy while I was there and I couldn't wait to see if they did shop tours.

Well, we followed the directions to the address on the Volquartsen website and it lead us to a tiny little house about a mile from town down a dirt road. Next to the house was a small little workshop with no indication of any manufacturing or retail processes happening other than a stack of pallets by the door and a small dumpster full of cardboard.

We didn't even get out of the car. We backed out of the drive somewhat disappointed but also impressed that such a large operation goes in behind such small doors. I would have liked to at least seen what the inside of that time little workshop looked like. Oh well.

 

[parsimonious_instead]

Thanks in large measure to the fine folks on THR that responded to a "should I or shouldn't I?" thread, I went ahead and bought a gently used Ruger Mark II with a Volquartsen grip, compensator and trigger. Amazing pistol - incredibly accurate and reliable - truly a joy to shoot and get a lot of "wows" from other folks at my local range.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I had a Ruger auto tricked out by Tom Volquartsen back in 1983, and I could hit the small end of a .22 cartridge box (50) at 75 yards (with the aid of a 4x Leupold scope). He had installed a 8" heavy barrel and Clark trigger. About all it needed, besides the scope and mount. He has always been a gentleman, informative, and helpful on the phone. Also did a PPC type conversion on a S&W M&P. I'm glad he has enjoyed such success, and managed to keep the overhead down!

 

[Standing Wolf]

Volquartsen made a wonderful barrel for my High Standard Trophy some years ago. It's every bit as good as my best High Standard barrel.

 

[Rembrandt]

I don't think you found the right place.....I've had a number of guns done by Tom over the years and your description of his place doesn't match where I visited. Maybe the web site address was a decoy to keep nosy people away.

Most of the gun manufacturing businesses I've been to don't have signs indicating the name or what they do. Try visiting Springfield Armory in Geneso, Illinois sometime....you'll probably drive past it a few times and have no clue it's there.

 

[bkjeffrey]

Don't know if it was the right place or not, but definitely was the right address on his website. Oh well, I'll just keep buying his products and wondering if that quaint little shop is where they come from or not.

 

[scramasax]

You missed the hollow tree with the elves.

Couldn't resist.

I've got thier parts in every ruger .22 I own.

Cheers,

ts

 

[Rembrandt]

.....the address on the Volquartsen website and it lead us to a tiny little house about a mile from town down a dirt road. Next to the house was a small little workshop.....would have liked to at least seen what the inside of that time little workshop looked like.

His place is much more than a mile from town.....should have seen a pond and shooting range next to the drive.....shop inside is full of CNC machines.

 

[bkjeffrey]

His place is much more than a mile from town

It was a figure of speech. I believe it was the right place according to your description. But it was early Saturday morning so I sent really expect to see much action. I tried calling before I went but the automated message said mon- fri so I didn't actually go knocking on doors.

 

[hermannr]

Volquartsen makes a barrel for the High Standard Trophy that alread has a mount for a red dot installed...I want one for my Trophy even though I already have 3 High Standard Barrels for it. for the old Eyes you know...

Anyway, he sounds like my kind of guy, maybe I'll just spring for that barrel now.