Compared to the black spray on crap, the blonde is a nice change. I might refinish it again next year, try to make it a bit smoother and take out some of the scratches but right now I am having a hard time feeling my right hand. Something is wrong in either my shoulder, neck or I am getting carpal tunnel so I am just not up to refinishing a gun right now. Could you see the small hole that is filled with wood filler? Right next to where the bolt plug is in the rear? There was a crack in the stock back there, I smoothed it, drilled a very small hole in the side, counter sunk the hole and ran the screw in then filled over it smooth with wood filler. Anyways, it was a 3 day project and I think that I did pretty descent considering that my hands kept going numb and I would loose the sandpaper repeatably lol. If anybody can get me the CVA phone number I would appreciate it. I didnt get any paperwork with the gun.