Thread: have to be just like that.

In the world of precision engineering firearms are actually not all that precise, a tolerance of .002-.003" being fairly normal. That is smaller than a gnat's cock to builder but positively sloppy to a toolmaker. Most post WW2 metal working machines in good condition can work all day within a .003" tolerance with a good operator, whereas a good CNC can work within .001" all by itself with good tooling and programming. The main 'need' for precision is from the pride of owning a well-built firearm and the appreciation and experience of its performance. The customer is not always right but he is the one with the money and won't come back for more jobs if he is not happy!