The "stainless" model 10/22 has a nice stainless barrel and the receiver has terrible gray paint on it.
The rest of the models have black paint that is just OK looking.
I would take stainless over blue any time. Mainly because I use the guns I have and hunt in all kinds of weather.
You're right, it's the laminate stock that I'm thinking of.
The black pant is MUCH better than the grey, IMHO.
The receivers are still all AL.
I just got back from sand and bead blasting my black receiver. (Thanks AllanM!)
I then put a few coats of matte clear on and baked it in the oven.
Looks GREAT next to a stainless barrel!