Hey v8r,
It has a laminated stock, but I didn't even notice until I got it home and saw the hang tag! The glue, wood laminations, and stain are so close in color, it looks like one piece of wood.
A friend told me to remove the buttpad and be sure its finished; he has an Ultra in .308 that he had to replace the stock because some water seeped between the pad and butt during a caribou hunt. A few weeks later, the stock began to de-laminate! He replaced it with a solid stock.
The other feature that surprised me is the extractor, as opposed to the positive ejector on my .270 Handi. Either way is alright by me. I'm researching scopes as I write; I'm leaning toward another Simmons, since I've been happy with my 3-10x44 Mag on my .270 Handi.
Long Live the Handi Rifle!
cricman