So here is what I have tried on the 870s. I would really like to try a Nordic aluminum follower some day. My old corncob forend Wingmaster still has the original type stamped steel follower in it. Has not failed me yet. Never changed it. The newer orange plastic followers just seemed too flimsy for me. I looked into the Scattergun Technologies green nylon ones but, read some poor reviews on them. I have used a cheaper Brownells aluminum follower in my 870 Magnum and it did fine. It did seem to wear some on the contact surfaces but nothing major. I have went to the PTG stainless steel follower as more or less my favorite anymore. The PTG has never failed or shown wear yet. They are grooved to fit in the Express tubes as well. Some folks say don't use stainless followers because they might gouge or peen the tube itself?? I have not had any problems personally. I certainly have not tried them all but, the steel PTG worked for me.
On a side note, I employ one magazine cleaning trick I am sure many others do. When I put in my aftermarket follower I took the cheap orange factory one and put it on the top end of the magazine spring in place of the magazine spring retaining ring. The magazine spring and followers are only held in by the magazine end cap and I can swab out the magazine tube easily during routine cleanings. It could be a pain if I changed out barrels a lot. I don't know if this is the best trick in the world but it makes it as easy to clean the magazine as if you had an extension on it. Best of luck!
