Stainless Steel followers and damage?

[MStarmer]

After some reading on the various forums I keep coming across some info stating that the steel followers will peen the follower stop. It seems to be the same person posting this info but I can't think that Brownell's, Vang or GG&G would put something out that would damage the weapon? Of course everything on the internet is true...

I have a +2 extension coming from Vang (which includes the stainless follower) and just thought I'd see what the opinion was on here.

Thanks

[mercman]

I'm running a stainless follower, can't remember it is a Vang or a Brownells. I haven't shot it enough to see if it has any ill effects. It's mounted on an Express. I also upgraded to a large button safety.

[Bastard File]

I use Scattergun Technologies plastic followers and have for years. Never an issue thus far.

[MStarmer]

Yeah I'm pretty confident the polymer ones are safe, I've used the Wilson ones for years. I have a Nordic in my Benelli Super Nova but it's a different beast. I know people respect Vang and JD (Aippi Tactical) but it's odd to see them on other sides of the fence.

[Synchronizor]

I prefer quality polymer followers over metal ones for several reasons:

1) Easy to modify without a machine shop
2) Less wear on the finish inside the magazine tube
3) High visibility
4) No corrosion
5) Less friction
6) Less mass

These are in descending order of significance (in my opinion), but I don't really consider any of them to be deal-breakers. If someone really wants a metal follower, I'd be the first to recommend one. That "preferential edge" and added confidence will be far more beneficial than any of the aforementioned details.

Apart from the slightly accelerated finish wear (and remember, whatever follower you have, you'll always have metal shell bases and a magazine spring sliding in the tube anyway), I have no concerns about a metal follower damaging anything on the gun. The 870's receiver is built solid; followers are simply too lightweight and do not get going fast enough when the last shell is fed from the magazine to cause any appreciable damage. You could theoretically argue that over time, that light tap from a metal follower will eventually cause more deformation than the same hit from a plastic one; but you'd have to carry that out over a ridiculous number of cycles (probably exceeding the service life of the gun several times over) for it to actually mean anything.

870s originally came with metal followers. If you want metal, go with metal.

[MStarmer]

Rec'd a call from Hans Vang himself informing me that my +2 extension was going to be a few weeks out. Secondly he wanted to address the question of steel followers (I had posed the question in a follow up email about my order) and say that it was a bunch of baloney about his followers causing any damage to the follower stop. The metal in the follower is softer than the stop. Needless to say it speaks volumes about a guy that can pick up the phone himself and call someone like me who made just a single order. Very intriguing guy on the phone I must say.

[Automag]

I recently installed a GG+G enhanced follower into my 870. This topic got me thinking. In the end though, i think that the mag tube already handles a steel spring, steel shotgun shell casings, and the shells always hit harder coming down and out than the follower coming all the way down. I'm a Machinist, and in my way of thinking, the difference is negligable. I'm leaving my Stainless follower in place, and have no worries about it. This is an interesting thing to think about, i would have never gave it a thought until i saw this thread. To each his own, i love my GG+G follower.
Pic of my gg+g Follower

A pic of my 870 w/Mesa Urbino Stock and Mako forend and Remington +2 Mag Extension