Hamps, you're not bothering me. I love messing with this stuff. Keep 'em coming!

To answer your questions, 1. Yes, and 2. Yes. But in reference to #1, yes I bought them because Stocky's website basically said it was necessary, but it wasn't, because my stock arrived with a nice set of pillars already installed, for which I was very happy because I didn't want to install them myself. But now I'm stuck with a set of pillars that I don't currently need. Actually, two sets, because I ordered two stocks at the same time. Maybe there was a change at the manufacturer and they started installing them, without notifying Stocky's? (Stocky's doesn't make this stock). Anyway, mine arrived with pillars installed.
And yes, the triggerguard that came with my action fits the stock inletting virtually perfectly. Here are more pics: