The restriction is literally just that screw-hole-nub for the rear screw that retains the triggerguard in an ADL (blind mag) setup... completely remove that, and make a slight mod to the bolt stop and you'd be over 3" ... it would be SO EASY for them to offer an "extended mag" short action. Couple that with reamers that cut the throat shorter, and viola. All the COAL a guy could want.
I think they are reeling from the Walker trigger (which I like and use) fiasco and subsequent multiple recalls. In addition to being, as you say, tone deaf.
I think that Remington probably focuses their CF rifle marketing efforts toward their biggest group of buyers, which I assume to be the guys who annually shoot a box or two of factory ammo and hunt deer. It seems to me that Remington has made its fair share of poor product decisions in both ammo and firearms.
