Hey Brent, thank you! Yes the grain is raised a touch I was able to get it down. There was a gap between the wood and pad I had sent it out for installation and ended having to do more work on it after it arrived. Tough to find someone to install a pad these days. It did come back better than a Silvers I sent out on another gun, that one was butchered! I filled the gap and once the finish is done it will blend better.