the encore was ss barrel/black stock. It was the same material that the omega had. It felt alot like a plastic cup, soft and really smooth. Like u could take your fingernail and really make a good cut with your nail. Shoulder an encore and u will know exactly what im talking about. OR better yet, go to walmart and pick up a redrider BB gun for a child. thats pretty much how it felt when you put it to your shoulder. As for the apex black fleck stock, you should see the cva elkhorn pglasgow, its black but with a bluish green fleck. That looks better than the black/white fleck. Another thing on both rifles i shook my head about. The trigger guard. or lack of it i should say. When im hunting i have to wear gloves because of the cold. You better plan on leaving your shooting glove off because its not going to fit in the trigger guard.