Yes, it's laminate, but it's painted. For an extra $15 or so, you can get it in a finished laminate color, instead of painted. Some people say the painted ones are made with a cheaper, lighter laminate than if you get it finished. I've got two of the black ones for my two Axis'. Think I'm gonna get a third one for my long action build, they're just too hard to pass up for the money. This one will be a finished laminate though, not painted black.