Well, the location of this thin stretch of barrel starts just in front of the fore end where the leading hand would be placed. Admittedly on top of the tube and not directly against the hand. Small consolation if it ever decided to let go none the less. I just didn't feel right about trying to use the tubes with that deficiency.
I also wanted to share this info because it might make some folks aware of the need to inspect barrel wall thickness very carefully and all around the circumference of the tube. A cursory check only along the side or bottom of this particular tube would have offered assurance of more than adequate wall thickness. Only when I rotated the barrel and checked close to the rib did I find the thin area.
Previously I would have expected eccentric wall thickness to have been on the side of the tube where it was easiest to strike. Instead it was on top and near the rib. A word to the wise for folks like me who are still learning!
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