Do electricians "back wire" most modern electrical outlets when using 12 gauge wire?

Years ago, electrical outlets were designed to be "side wired" by hooking the wire around a screw. Some also had holes where a wire could be connected by pushing it into the hole, but this method of wiring by "back stabbing" was reglarded as unreliable. Nowadays I find electrical outlets are designed so they can be "back wired" by pushing the end of the wire between metal plate and a screw that holds the plate. As I understand it, this method is regarded as reliable.

I'd prefer to side-wire receptacles, but I find that it's very hard to fit 12 gauge wire around the screws of modern receptacles because the screws won't stay still due to their attachment to the plates needed for back wiring. The modern designs have the screw down in a recess where I can't fit a hooked wire without nearly taking the screw all the way off.