Chuck,
I'm guessing it is because he is 71, doesn't hunt so much, said nothing about being a reloader, can pick up dove and quail type loads either on the way to the club, or, at the club, and the same loads run his autoloader and are a moot point in the pumps, that he said he actually prefers to the SXS.
Going out on a limb, I'll speculate the Western sees a level of shooting it could live a long time with.
Remember the story in the DGJ about the Nitro with the brass shim on the hook that was fed nothing but magnum duck loads for a decade, and might still be doing that duty today?
Its all good. I'm sure of it.
Best,
Ted
