Jim, didn't Remington settle a class action lawsuit about barrel failures on either the 870 or 1100 (can't remember which)? Seems those would fit your description of either failure in the material used or the manufacturing process. Unless you're referring only to doubles? But if the fluid steel barrel on a pump or auto can fail, why not on a double? And I believe there have also been reported failures of either Krieghoff or Perazzi barrels--OU and not sxs, but again, modern fluid steel.