Yeah, that's a huge problem with those security questions... read an article once about how they're actually really weak for protection. A lot of those answers are easy to guess or find online, which is why people make stuff up. But then you end up locked out of your own stuff, just like your aunt. The whole system feels broken. Keeping that note is honestly the smartest move, even if it's a pain.

An entire afternoon though? I mean, it's just a gate, not like the hinges were welded shut or something.

Seriously doubt it's that big a deal. Seen plenty of scopes slapped on with basic tools that hold zero just fine. Unless you're doing some extreme long range stuff, a tiny bit off probably won't matter for most shots. People overthink this stuff. It's just screws and rings.

Read a gunsmithing blog that called a good barrel vise the foundation of a shop. Makes sense when you see how many projects stop dead at that first step. Watched a guy spend two hours trying to improvise a setup for a Mauser before giving up. Your Remington 700 story proves the point. Getting that barrel off cleanly is half the battle.

Ugh, I totally get that feeling.