AZ,
How would a 1911 work for my wife to keep in the Home? The Glock's scare the pants of her I own a 22 and a 23, she hates the recoil on both. I hear the 1911 frame absorbs recoil better than the Poly is this true? I haven't been home much lately and I would like to get her something more "manageable" but it's hard to judge without her firing it, especially with my lack of knowledge on the subject.
I, of course am just an "apt pupil" here amongst the land of the "real shooters" on this board. I was on the rifle team as a kid, and grew shooting a lot (hunting) up in Alaska, but those days were all single action "cowboy" guns...so this Tactical Handgun stuff has been a (fun!) learning curve for me!
That being said, let me respond with what I have learned recently, with the conclusions I have arrived at (with my own wife).
1.) the most important weapon you can have is between our ears. Having a plan is Number One.
So what I did was create some procedures to prevent nighttime (and daytime) incursions into our home.
Double layers of locked doors/windows, Motion detection, and a Dog, ALL serve to protect us at night, as well as a "saferoom" bedroom closet (for her to go), while I take up a tactical position in the bedroom outside.
She has been through/seen some shit in her life (in PolPot's Cambodia...like babys bashed against trees and shit), and I have
sworn that protecting her, and keeping her safe and comfortable in the REST of her life is my number one mission.
So, the plan is IF there is an alert, I wake up and grab the .38 sitting in the Serpa holster next to the bed, which I carry during the day. We go to the closet, and I hand her the .38, and I grab the 12ga that waits in the closet. (with 1 shot oo buck, then slugs).
The closet door gets locked with her (and the .38) in it, and I take up position just outside the locked closet (behind dresser for cover) with the 12ga and the cell phone. The Bedroom door is still locked as well. The dog is also in the closet with her. I got the .38 originally for Plainclothes (concealed) Security Carry for myself, and planned on it becoming HER closet gun at night as well.
There is a lot to be said for the .38 for a wife's gun. Simple, point and shoot, and never a failure to feed issue. Pull the trigger 5 times until it quits going "bang". Last ditch effort for her, if someone has gone through me (and the 12ga.) and opened the closet door. If it's NOT me, and If they're NOT in uniform, she's gonna empty the .38 into them. :)
So the .38 has become my Plainclothes daytime CCW rig, and her nighttime saferoom rig. 158 grain Buffalo Bores, (that my friend Dusty turned me on to). I used to load the 125gr Speer Gold Dots (which are a good second choice).
2.)The .38 is also what I have been taking Defensive Pistol classes with.
I got a bunch of good wadcutter ammo, and I like the revolver (always have)...and it's good practice to also train with my CCW rig as well.
However, my boss wants me to work into Range Manager/Instructor at the new range he is building, and for that I have to be very proficient with a semi-auto as well. And, for that I like the 1911 platform in .45, in a smaller Commander length as a compromise between accuracy and concealability.
Now, my boss, and all my advanced defensive pistol classmates (cool kids) have Kimbers. And
if I had my true choice of ANY .45 in the world, I would actually have a duplicate of Will Brinks Commander length model made. (literally, the sweetest 1911 I've EVER seen!).
But, I'm just a poor (underpaid ;)) Gunshop employee, so I went with a third choice which was the Springfield Champion shown in my avatar.
Solid gun. And, with a duplicate with a .22 conversion I'll be able to afford to train with it.
I plan on getting the NRA pistol instructor certs soon, as well as much further tactical training in addition to the boss' free (defensive pistol I,II, III) tacticals that I have now completed. Something to get to the next level. Also got the CCW out of the way for FREE at work. (thanks, Boss!)
I am in one of the MECCA's for Tactical Shooting here in Phoenix, and I can get Gunsite instructors (who do side classes) inexpensively at the community college here, as well as some good leads down in Tuscon. Something to take me from the current "intermediate" level, to the more Advanced level of training.
Once I get confident enough I plan on also doing some IDPA or whatever. (Both with revolver, and with the 1911!). I've Got to put some polish on the techniques now!
I think the .22 conversion will allow me to afford that.
I also HAVE to start traing the wife to do more than shoot from the closet.
SHE needs to get a better "comfort" level.
So, the .22 J-Frame (practice for the .38), and a .22 conversion (for the 1911) will allow me to train her on
both platforms without scaring the shit out of her (and save $$$).
That, and some laser toys for around the house! ;)
:)