Prior to getting my Benelli SBE, my 870 was my standby duck/goose gun.

I've shot many a 3" through it, and it's certainly more stout than the SBE...but that's not saying much. I can shoot 3 1/2's through the SBE all day long.

Were I dopey enough to be using an 870 for clays, the recoil might be a bit much...but duck huntin' adrenaline has a way of making such things irrelevant.

I'll go with the crowd here, and suggest you not be so quick to jump on the pansy wagon.