Yea, I guess I had to wonder about that recoil comment too. I feed my 12 gauge Companion pretty stout loads here and there, but, it has had it's share of the Winchester "featherlite" loads for times when recoil might be an issue, say, shooting clays. Recoil has never bothered me when I'm shooting in cold blood with a single shot at game. The under lever on mine opens very easily, and is nice and wide. I've heard people say that it would be perfect with an ejector, but, I hate ejectors, so, I'm not out much.
I've heard about lousy triggers on them, too, but, mine breaks cleanly at about 4 lbs, perfect for a 5 1/2 pound gun.
They have been in production since about the end of the last big war, I suppose bad examples exist-but, mine ain't one of them.
Good Luck,
Best,
Ted
