I started to build my first pistol when neighbors moving away gave me a box of old flint pistol parts. Nothing complete. For the next year I pestered every gunsmith in upstate NY. Many little towns there and every one had a gunsmith. Every one of these gentle - men were willing to give of their time and resources to help a kid. All the more generous when that kid was not a paying customer, ever. Between them and their help I was able to turn one of those old pieces into a shooter by making parts and long hard work because I only had hand tools. When I had finally finished making the upper jaw and screw for it I took it with me to see my favorite smith and he helped me load and fire the first shot with it, WOW!!! I will never forget that!
What was really special is that during all that year not one of them ever failed to give me an answer or refer me to someone who could. Always helped.
When anything wasn't right not one of them ever said "Learn to Live With It".
I consider that expression reserved for the governments of England, Australia, Canada and a few other countries who's peoples aren't allowed to have guns when they ask for a reason.
Gun kits are a lot more than something to learn with. They are a form of convenience. If you have ever made a shopping list for, an as near as possible copy of a Golden Age rifle with all the trimmings, you know that it is quite long and sometimes hard to fill. A company that can put together everything in a package for you makes things a lot easier, even then you have to consider options and whether or not you have chosen the right part to be period, location and gun maker true.
I have been making rifles and pistols ever since that time when I was only 14, and I am now 72. I make everything as authentic as possible and try to copy at least one maker every year.
I will never "Learn to live with it".