reply to this classmates discussion post When disassembling a firearm, I think practice is the best way to give oneself confidence, especially if it's a platform we're unfamiliar with. In the 1st couple courses (revolver & striker fired) I had to disassemble/reassemble a couple times just to make sure I did it correctly & for my brain to register it was correct. Maybe it's just my brain... I can overthink three letter words, but regardless practicing will increase your confidence. It also helps to use references like the teardown diagrams received during our studies, one provided by the manufacturer, or perhaps a YouTube video. In my opinion the basic knowledge needed would be understanding the platform you're working with (SA/DA, striker fire...), and a general field strip. After that following a guide for a further tear down should be simple to follow. For older model firearms there may be less resources available, not the exact step by step for disassembly/reassembly. However, with enough practice you realize the similarities between models, brands, and action types. Most importantly, it's crucial that we understand how the COO is applied to the platform we work with. How to identify all 8 steps to establish a baseline & then diagnose any deviations from that baseline "normal