durability of camo pattern stocks?

[anweis]

Marlin XS7, Remington, and others, offer cammo pattern synthetic stocks. How durable is the pattern and the fisninsh on these? Do they scratch to reveal black plastic? Is that camo a paint or is the entire stock made of solid colored material?

[Rangr44]

I cannot speak to the Marlin or Remington, nor to your question about coating vs integralization - but I can with regard to durability, with qualifications.

The qualifications have to do with the only two camo stocks I have experience with - an issue T/C Omega/Realtree, and a black synthetic Remington Seven stock that I had camo dipped by Bell & Carlson.

I've owned & hunted with the Omega since "new" for the last 8 years, w/o any special care, and neither the stock nor the SS metal finish has yet to show any wear/abrasions/cracks/etc.
IOW, it still looks and acts as new.

I bought the 7mm-08 Model Seven, "used", about 6 years ago, had B&C dip the stock as soon as I got it, and shot/hunted it for two years w/o any issues whatsoever, before selling it for other interests.

I wouldn't have any concerns with the modern process', since they have long gone through their "testing" stages, and are stone reliable - backed by a factory warranty.

.

[Graybeard]

The dipped camo finishes are tough as nails. Sure if you work at it hard enough you can scratch it but you'll have to work at it. My first was a Remington 11-87 bought many long years ago and carried much and used hard. In spite of it the finish never was scratched thru. Since that one I've picked up several of them and have yet to manage to scratch thru the finish on one and I am tough on my guns.