Blog Posts

Hi there again…Hope that everyone is healthy, happy and safe. I was asked by a customer (actually a few) what is it we do. Well, we work on pretty much everything. Our local add used to say from flintlock to full auto. We do cleanings, both simple and extensive, rebuilds, restorations. We change out worn…

I have to admit, I was never going to be a homeowner. As a lifelong renter, I could move with 30 days notice if I didn’t like the neighbors, area, whatever. Then we moved to Minnesota and everything changed. We arrived to our new home after a 3 day journey. We were 3 weary drivers,…

Hi there…A number of folks in our new business area have asked me what I think about current laws being passed in Washington. From my perspective, after living and running a firearms business in California with their crazy rules and regulations, we are in trouble. The bills being pushed through right now federally will completely…

With most folks locked down and everyone’s activities curtailed in some form or other for over a year now, a lot of people have been cleaning up. Garages, storage unit’s, closets, barns, even entire homes are being cleaned up. In the process, many are finding firearms and wondering if they work, if they’re safe and/or…

In Minnesota, bad weather is normal. Most activities here, would be cancelled due to weather in California. Minnesotans are a hearty bunch, holding Ice Golfing Tournaments out on frozen lakes in February. February is the worst, and coldest, weather month we have. It’s good to keep all clothing and coverings readily available, you could wear…

California RaisedBeing from California, I had never experienced “real” cold. Where I grew up, even getting down to freezing was a rarity, snow was something we visited when we went to the surrounding mountains to play. On the rare occasions that it did snow, everything closed, because no one knew how to drive in really…

Indian Valley GunsmithingPublished by Dean Brackett Hi there again…We are asked quite a bit if we do woodwork. Yes, we do lots of woodwork. From installing recoil pads, glass bedding, repairs, fitting, floating barrels, installing recoil reduction systems, refinishing, touching up old checkering and even making a brand new stock from a big block of…

It’s the most common question I’m asked when locals find out we’re from California, “Why would you leave CA for here?”. The short answer is to be near family, an answer many accept as a good reason. Younger people give me the “are you crazy?” look, like they believe the hype that CA is a…

One thing I’ve learned about mid-central Minnesotans, they do many tasks their selves. In California, there are so many permits, rules, regulations and laws that it’s actually simpler to hire someone who specializes in that area. Here in MN, you can remodel your whole house with no permits, inspections or anything as long as you…

How can I become a Gunsmith? It’s a question we hear from time to time. The answer is both straight-forward and complicated. First, work on guns, all types of guns. Study guns and how they work, foreign and domestic, old and new. Learn about different types ammunition and its effect on guns. Get training. Gone…

IVG will be open as usual, except Christmas Day; Monday-Friday Phone 9 AM – 6 PM CST Gunsmith Appointments 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM CST Saturday, by Appointment for Pickups and Drop Offs Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to All Our Wonderful Customers!

Hi there… let’s talk more about barrels. Us Old-Timers say, the heart of the gun is it’s action, but the accuracy is in the barrel. I’ve seen beautiful looking barrels shoot horrible and pitted old Mausers and Springfields shoot amazingly well. Accuracy is dependent on how well the barrel was originally made. Most, not all,…