This sort of innovation is more likely to add to demand rather than diminish it. There will still be collectors who want custom - built and decorated rifles, and there will still be builders who like to do the work themselves and want to learn, focusing on the process rather than the end result (I count myself in that category). From my point of view, this sort of kit doesn't take away from the people who are already buying custom rifles or various kits, but adds a new market of folks who may then want to take that next step (how many people on here started with a kit of some sort and then said, hey I'd like to try something a little more involved?). It may take away from folks who would have bought a lesser - quality finished rifle (my CVA that I built as a high schooler looks like a toy to me now, and a friend with a TC is thinking he needs to upgrade after seeing my Colonial in the woods last fall) who never really wanted to be builders. It may also push other kit offerings to step up their game. More importantly, it may mean more folks shooting black powder, which gives manufacturers a bigger market to sell to, and that can also be good for all of us.
I've built three Kiblers at this point (one of each model) and I love them all, but I have also tried to "make them my own," for better or for worse. I've also built one from a plank, and it has it's imperfections but I've definitely feel more pride about that one and intend to do more. Will I buy a kit with CNC carving? Probably not - I like struggling with it on my own. But that's fine. I have other avenues and they aren't going to go away.
