On the stock there is a good deal of patterning in the wood. The chequering is clean-cut in a minimalist pattern on both grip and fore-end.

The stock is stronger than the old design and the butt-pad, with its proliferation of holes, looks as if it should be as soft as jelly, but it is in fact nice and firm. It does not impair gun mounting and at the same time it is sufficient to cushion the blow.

Length of pull is 14in shorter than average stocks – this being a traditional Baikal feature. The drop from the top of the comb is 1¾in to 2¾in at the heel. The sweep at the front of the comb has a flattened shape, giving an unorthodox but modern appearance. This is the only area where the old stock with its slim comb looked more appealing.The first thing I noticed on the Baikal 12-bore is the tightness of the action, especially when closing the gun. A firm wrist movement is required, an indication that this later model still retains the solid virtues of the earlier models.