The same surface area can be had but it won't be captured, as it is on the Stevens.
Their check hook is another innovative feature the Stevens had. It is described in the ad above. Carrying the shotgun breech open may well be a lot of the reason there are problems with soldered forend lugs. That can put a tremendous amount of leverage against the lug, something I am cognizant of, and careful about when I must do so. When I see people carrying a double (O/U or S x S) open, with their hand under the receiver, walking along with the 30"/32" barrels "bouncing" as they go, I cringe. If you must carry it open, as when waiting to shoot on a squad of other shooters, better to hold it against your side in such a way that the barrels hang vertical, relieving the forend and lug of that stress, IMO.
SRH