Apologies for going slightly OT...I thought this was referred to as a "feather" or "plume" because of the shape of the transition piece with doll's head (don't know the technical name) and the engraving thereon:
As to the OP, I think Shotgunlover makes a case for less places for rust to hide. My Ideal 314 16 ga pictured above comes in at 5lb 14, and it is lively in the hands. So weight reduction can also be a factor. It also looks cool to me, though only when admiring it, as I don't see it when shooting.
