I have looked at and handled the gun several times, couldn't get past the 12 1/2" (maybe not that short, but very short) stock. The gun does have a lot of dull color on the action, but needs some cleaning up all over. "Loose" and "Cracked through the head of the stock" slowed me down a bit too. It is a good project gun and potentially a great shooter. The serial number is the best part.