Nah, the "Axis" label doesn't matter to me. I just want the factory matte blue finish to match the receiver. It's not a huge deal, but if I'm going to give the rifle to a grandkid someday, I don't want it to look like a hack job and it would be nice if the caliber roll stamp was visible so nobody does anything stupid long after I'm gone, or I do it myself once my memory starts to slip! LOL

I think I'll just buy a youth Axis, rob the barrel and throw an inexpensive .243 barrel on it and give it to a nephew or niece (seeing as I don't have any grandkids yet!)