Interesting. I didn't know that. Remington came up with the flexi-tab to address the double feed jam issue on 870 (experienced by myself at least two times), but S&W with their model 3000 fixed it right away:
"Riot Gun Shoot-Out; The S&W 3000 vs. Remington's Classic 870" was Sgt. Gary Paul Johnston, and he submitted the following report after testing the two shotguns:
"...If the Remington Model 870 has one shortcoming, it has to be the stoppage prone situation resulting from a cartridge falling back into the carrier when not loaded completely into the magazine tube. Loading in a hurry can provoke just such a situation...If the stuck round is first into the tube, there is no problem, as the action can be cycled to clear and chamber it. It becomes critical, however, with the second or third round, due to the increasing magazine spring pressure, and if it is the fourth round, as is most likely, the action cannot be cycled in the normal manner, and there is a stoppage. This condition can also occur in short-stroking the action, or not bringing the fore-end fully and sharply to the rear, especially with a damaged round. Stoppages are particularly dangerous in police work, because when an officer cycles his shotgun, it is because he needs it at that moment. It is not that this stoppage cannot be quickly cleared, because it can by placing the butt on a firm surface and sharply pulling the fore-end back with both hands. Or if this fails, by slamming the butt down, using the same hold. In a gunfight, however, seconds are precious...This problem has been engineered out of the Model 3000, and that any round so slipping could be easily and quickly cycled through the action."
"Anxious to compare the two guns, I took the Smith & Wesson 3000 to the range along with a near new Remington 870...I loaded the Remington with four rounds and, with difficulty, I artificially produced the stoppage condition described. The action could not be worked normally, and it took both hands on the fore-end with the butt placed on the floor to clear and cycle the action. The Smith & Wesson Model 3000 was then loaded with four rounds and, again with difficulty, I artificially created the same stoppage. Even with the full magazine, the Smith & Wesson cycled in the normal manner, clearing and chambering the 'jammed' round with ease."
"...While I do not fear its happening to me in the line of duty, I would dread for it to occur to an officer unfamiliar with the problem, unless he or she was using the Smith & Wesson Model 3000-but then there really would be no problem..."
