I handled one and liked it. It's light and shaped well for easy carry. So if you carry a 12 gauge a lot it could be a good option. If, as you say, it recoils more, then that's just a trade-off for the light weight. If you're not shooting it a lot, it shouldn't be an issue. There are a lot of guns today that are non-traditional cosmetically, like with various checkering patterns, and synthetic stocks on shotguns. Those are the times.
I'm wary of the heavy recoil statement because I don't recall reading anything to that effect about it in the magazines that reviewed it. Chuck Hawks usually tells it like it is. Here's what he has to say
http://www.chuckhawks.com/rem_105CTi_shotguns.htmMy overall impression was that it's a field gun with a lot of good qualities. I don't think I'd buy one for clay shooting because loading and ejection seemed awkward for a clays gun.
As to looks, I thought it looked fine. I liked the finish on it. It's not blued, it's one of the more durable good looking finishes I personally prefer.
I read quite a lot about it because it was a major release by Remington. I don't recall reading anything by high praise with a few minor issues mentioned.
If I wanted a lightweight autoloader for field use, I'd take a good hard look at it.
