So, anyway, Bushmaster, this is pretty much the way this discussion usually goes when someone brings up the question. Buy a gun with a skimpy little forearm and then cover it up with a piece of stiff leather to protect your hand or the barrels. Don't use it when you duck hunt and have the water go through your gloves or better yet stick to the barrels. Or, go get a shop towel, cover it with oil when you put it in the safe. Now you see why people just get a BTFE instead of going through all that hassle? Plus you have that much more wood to checker, varnish and give your gun that really great look. This is the way this argument had gone for years.