Glad someone's saying this out loud. The Savage 110 is a great example. Mine has never needed bolt work, and it works perfectly. All that extra fitting just delays the process. Focusing on custom actions where it actually matters makes sense. Your shop's method probably gets guns back to owners much faster.

Seen this a lot where family tries to help but just adds risk. Their good intentions don't make up for a lack of focus on the task. You're right to be careful about who assists with skilled work.

Forget the basics for a second. If the test doesn't cover current color methods, new stylists aren't ready for real clients.

Wait, you needed a whole storm to test your alarm backup? That's a rough way to find out.

That Portland cafe moment sounds like the best kind of lucky find. Nancy_kelly is right that it sounds fussy, but those tiny technique shifts are everything. It's wild how one small change in how you hold the shears can change the whole movement of the hair. Makes me want to dig out my old mannequin head and just try one new thing.