I've heard of instances of reducing a BT to splinter with not-so-great results. Keep in mind that the gap that exists between the barrels and the wood can become an unsightly gap on a splinter.
I've never done this, but you might take a small piece of clay/play dough and put on the bottom of the barrel then replace the forend thereby smashing the clay to fill the gap. Remove the forend and inspect the flattened out piece of clay. Try it in a few places along the length to verify that it is ok.
If it's a shooter it may not matter to you, but if you end up having to make another forend (wood only) you might as well do it now and have both.
