Most of the guns that I have had, I stripped the finish off and refinished them with just linseed oil. All you have to do then if you get a scratch or ding just rub a little more oil on it. Mainly you want to be sure there is no exposed wood which could be effected by mosture causing it to twist or warp. I must admit that I will no longer buy a gun with a wood stock. Its all synthetic for me.