i have owned several of the xtra grain 391,s and by taking the stock off , i cud see that yes it is "real"wood. beretta does make another version with a lamenated, adhesive type woodgrain,which i think is on a composit stock. the x-tra wood is a patented process ,where the wood is brushed and oiled to, so- to- speak "make "the grain figuring. if you have not purchased a 391 yet? an RL (reduced length) maybe what you need? one last thing-your question mentioned -walnut? if you take any of those stocks off and weigh them- you will see how light weight they really are - no way it cud be "walnut". wally riebesell