when i went to buy a new ML last year, i was set on a CVA Optima. i ended up buying the Traditions Pursuit Pro because they were out of Optima's at Bass Pro. i don't regret buying the Pursuit, it is an awsome rifle and VERY accurate. mine is the synthetic stock with the nickle barrel aswell. i can not say anything bad about the Optima because i have never handled one but i love my Pursuit.