I think Bill's advice is always the sound approach with a "new" gun, especially if it has issues. The overall look is not of a gun that has seen a lot of attention to basic maintenance. I know what I would do, which I suppose "devalues" the gun but I don't think a gun is any longer in "original" condition once it looks like this. I would rather have "non-original" re-stock to enjoy the shooting of it looking like a nice gun should look. I would of course save the "original" stuff and put it right back on the gun if that is how someone else preferred it and I was selling it to that person. I guess a CHE is not in my future if, in this condition, it is still considered a $5,000 gun. I too would shoot the heck out of it, once any safety issues are addressed. I would also hunt with it and not worry about another scratch or dent (wood, that is)
Cheers,
Jack
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Hunt ethically. Eat heartily.
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