The barrel is screwed in by hand until locked in place with a catch."

Somewhat overstated.
On my Winchesters, the barrel threads do not engage until the barrel section slides into place and THEN the barrel section is rotated 90 degrees ( 1/4 turn) and locked into place.
Not much contact or friction, therefore very little wear. As an owner and operator of this feature, I do not consider it a problem. A fact and a feature, but NOT a problem.