I love it here when "experts" make assumptions, and tell people they don't know what they're talking about. Insisting that someone starting out, little to no experience in machining or CNC's, a home shop, no distinct plans for volume widgets, learning and doing one-offs and gunsmithing requires a VMC as a priority off the bat is dubious advice. I've had a VMC at my former business (didn't have room for it when I moved out) I do mostly one-off prototyping for engineering/ R&D projects, testing, test-fixtures, etc. and now have a good-condition manual BP and the Interact. I have not missed the VMC (much) FOR THE TYPE OF WORK I DO. If I have complicated CNC machining to do, or something requiring multiple parts, I have people that know a lot more, are much more efficient, get better results, and have much better equipment than I can (or want to) justify purchasing, maintaining, and becoming expert in all the details of proficiently using it.
I also love it here on one hand the "experts" here often lambast newbies for their naivete regarding the cost and complexity of doing machining correctly and efficiently, and to "leave it to them" (the "experts"), while insisting that a novice go out and buy a VMC....