Well, I've just opened the package up and am looking her over. Appearance, while very similar, is noticeably different than the APEX. A good looking rifle, though I must confess I am somewhat partial to the APEX. For all practical purposes the barrels look nearly identical. The same dimensions for the QLA and the same narrow rifling and wide grooves that the Apex has. (I really like that feature of the barrel actually because I've always thout that kind of rifling would be a benefit to loading from a muzzle and to reducing shear of lead and plastic alike). So I am very happy to see that, honestly, if the barrel weren't like that, I think would consider sending her back to Cabelas.

Lifting the barrel from the stock I notice some minor differences in the stock. One thing I notice is that reinforcing the stock behind the lugs like I did with the Apex will be easier as this area is already compartmentalized behind the lugs where the ramrod passes through.

The action is not stainless like the Apex, rather, it is blued. I don't have the Apex with me so I don't know for sure whether its internal parts appear to be identical, though I suspect that they are. The trigger guard lever isn't as long as the Apex, but it is just as functional.

The balance is almost identical to the Apex, but probably a 1/2 closer to the muzzle (relative to the muzzle pair ofscope taps). She will be easy to move the balance where I want it.

The sights are identical, in make and model, to the sights which were on my sidekick (Williams). I'm a little disapointed in that as I wanted sights like the ones on the Apex. But they should be as functional.

The trigger is tighter than Apex. I'd say maybe 5-5.25 lbs. Just like the Apex if I wrap the index finger around to the second joint, a gentle handshake will cleanly break the trigger. I don't think the tighter trigger will affect my accuracy, but we may have to see about that.

All in all, I can't stand the fact there is so much snow out cuz I would really like to shoot her! I'll comment more impressions as I get to know her.