Rant: I used to fit barrels with a hammer and a block of wood

After a bad scratch on a customer's 1911 slide last year, I bought a proper barrel vise from Brownells for $180. Now I get a clean press fit every time, no marks. Anyone else make a switch like that after a close call?

3 comments

3 Comments

brown.reese3mo ago

Ouch, that's a painful lesson.

walker.grace3mo ago

Oh man, that's so true. It feels like the worst lessons always come from the hardest knocks. I've seen it with friends, family, even just watching the news. People seem to learn best when the mistake really costs them something, which is a tough way to grow. It makes you wonder why we can't just listen to good advice the first time.

noahbaker1mo ago

Ugh, tell me about it. It's like we're all programmed to ignore the warning signs until we're actually in the ditch.