It was nothing to do really. I will say that the clear H&R puts on these things is extremely hard.

I just pulled the stocks off and steel wooled them. Starting with a finer wool did nothing to the finish. So I started a little coarser and then went with fine. I cleaned out the checkering with first a stainless steel wire brush and then a finer and softer brass brush.

Wiped it all down with thinner and then a tackcloth. Then a few layers of a Rust-O-Leum black satin.

Couple hours and 5 or 6 bucks.

I think this one shoots a tad better than my old original H&R. I don't really want to say how far away I dropped a buck during the 2008 season because it always seems to bring out doubters and naysayers. But I know because I paced off every step and it was...... .