You are corret defoxer. However, it's not true for the part of the chamber that is in front of the receiver ring which is what concerns me. Therefore, the large shank provides a greater margin of strength for that portion in front of the receiver. Like I said, it can be done on the small shank, I just wouldn't do it myself. Now if you're going with a conventional shouldered barrel then it really doesn't matter. But if you're using the barrel nut the large shank provides thicker chamber walls for that portion outside the receiver which makes me feel better. To each their own.