My father's "working man's shotgun" was a M/W Western Field Mod. 52 (Stevens 311) 16ga. with a Tenite stock. As an 18 year old kid, he bought it new in '48. As a kid I thought it was the "ne plus ultra" in shotguns. I remember cronies of his chiding him in his choice of guns as they cradled their Stevens/Remington/Winchester pumps which in that area (central Pa.)were considered state of the art. As he matured, other more sophisticated examples of the gunmakers art passed through his hands but that plastic stocked 16ga. remained his "go-to" gun.
Could be why I'm partial to 16 gauge doubles.
(P.S. that gun resides in the place of honor in my safe today. Once a year she goes afield with me on a sentimental journey. It's the gun I hope to carry one day on "The Road to Tinkhamtown.")