Was the composite stalker (not stainless) introduced at the same time??
No, the first composite stalker (syn stock-matte blue) was introduced in 89, then in 90 Browning offered the same rifle in SS, dubbing it the SS stalker. I ran tang safety Rugers prior to these and the lighter weight, matte finishes and scratch resistant syn stocks were a welcome change.
I also had a post Win 70 featherweight in 06 at the time, but these early synthetic stocked rifles won me over. I was used to scratched up wood stocks and the Tru oil routine.
They were especially nice if you pack hunted back then: