Try force the download by logging out of Steam then back in, you could also try verifying files.
I assume it is showing A18.1 (b9) in the top right corner in game currently.
No problems at all.
If you have any questions feel free to PM me.
Personally the easiest option would be to keep parts for the recipes but make the non firearm parts craftable, either in the forge or workbench etc.
This allows some parity with vanilla and allows you to make the parts with...
Changing the weapon and tool crafting recipes is very simple eg you could remove the parts entirely and just use iron/steel ingots etc or you could make the parts craftable etc.
The perks you could look at several ways to approach that, you could use quests to unlock them or similar, you could...
Been a while but 1000 may be the max possible in the UI (999 by memory, not sure on this tho).
Is this one of those times when you absolutely, positively can only have one mortar and pestle? ;)
I usually had a bunch and just load them up.
Wandering hordes are defined in gamestages.xml (not spawning.xml), I suggest checking Jax's wandering horde increase modlet (under his modlet collection) for examples on how to modify this (or just grab it and tweak the numbers to something you find fun).
Agreed, pity turrets don't like mimicking launchers in terms of ballistics etc.
Could probably make a turret that simulated firing darts (bleed, ammo type etc).