Setterguy,
Thank you for bringing some very valid points to bare. 1. CNC and CAD/CAM isn't the end-all it's often proposed to be. Other work is necessary to ensure success, and that often gets overlooked. 2. The effort is only worth it when you want production volumes and and a certain level of interchangeability.

I can offer 10 years of Project and Program Management experience as well as process improvement consulting, plus growing up as the son of a gunsmith and now a gunmaker myself. I'm still laughing at number 3 as you had me until "Winchester 21" was thrown in there!

Great discussion.