Our military also uses sissy 5.56 NATO and 9MM so I'm not going to gauge manliness by what they're using.

It's true there is plenty of reduced recoil 12 defense ammo available, but recoil is only part of the reason I switched to 20 gauge. I also did it for the weight reduction. I've never weighed it but I'm pretty sure this little 870 only weighs about 6 pounds. My 12 gauge was noticeably heavier. I'm also considering SBS-ing this thing. The only reason I haven't is the reduced ammo capacity going from 6 rounds in the tube to 4.

If I'm feeling EXTRA manly I could always press my semi-auto 3 1/2" 12 gauge into HD service, but that thing has a 28" barrel. Shoot, some folks around here run a 10 gauge!