One issue seen in tube fed shotguns with magazine extensions is follower hangup at the transition from tube to extension. If the rear edge of the follower doesn’t have a gradual enough transition, the follower can get hung up and not move past the transition, effectively negating the tube extension. If the outside diameter contact points of the follower are too close together or too small diameter, the follower can tilt within the tube and the front edge of the follower can hang up on the transition on the way back out of the extension and will no longer feed rounds. We went through MANY revisions to dial in the perfect transition at the rear to cleanly glide past even the most brutal extension transitions. We also found the balance of making the follower long enough to not tilt inside the tube, while not being so long that it limits capacity.

The textured, green center provides both visual and tactile feedback that it most certainly is not a live round, something that many follower designs lack. Firearms, and shotguns specifically, are devastating. There are countless times in classes, at the range, at home, etc. that we must verify that our shotguns are empty. Many times in classes others will double check as well. The SMRT-AF leaves no question for anyone that glances at it that the tube is empty.

Turned from 4140, the follower body will not dent or gall (which can happen with softer materials). The black nitride finish is beautifully slick to provide very smooth function in both loading and feeding. The green anodized aluminum insert is hard to miss and is held in place with an ID groove and a heavy duty spiral retaining ring.