Thank you! I’ve done a lot since this post and have been ok, generally ended up doing what you describe - subassemblies like the trigger/hammer/grip area or getting the scope brackets on the barrel before painting. I’ve also utilised the ‘pin’ or ‘peg’ method where I use wooded dowels in some pieces to further reinforce attachment. For example, here’s the back of the stock greeblies:
[ATTACH=full]235475[/ATTACH]
And corresponding holes in the stock:
[ATTACH=full]235476[/ATTACH]
With the greeblies attached:
[ATTACH=full]235477[/ATTACH]