The real purpose of the fore end is to house the ejector mechanism, as well as holding the barrels and frame together.

Jimmy - get out more. While I don't spend much time in Ohio, I also know many Ohioans who would disagree w/ you "around here" comments.

"Around here" one doesn't criticize another's gun, nor his dog. A person shoots what pleases him or her.

The fingers getting in the way business is over the top, as others have rightly mentioned here.