Excellent. That matches with my experience that even smaller people, with a bit of
training can shoot the "hard kicking" 1911 in .45 ACP. I have taught a number of women
to shoot, and I have been pleasantly surprised at how many of them prefer the 1911 .45 over
all the other guns that I let them shoot. Before I had taught many students, I decided to
be as even handed as I can and present all the various kinds and models of guns to the students
and let them shoot them all, and decide which one they like.
However, in multiple cases, I have thought that a good steel K-frame Smith in .38 Spl would be
a good, simple choice, lower recoil and such for a female student. I have tried to steer them that
way. Several have taken an immediate liking to the 1911 during the "handling" portion, where we
are in a classroom, and not shooting, just picking up various guns for familiarization.
Since I am very biased in favor of the 1911, and used to assume that it may be 'too much gun' (size,
wieght & recoil) for most women, I have tended to go overboard to NOT push the 1911, and tend
to recommend a .38 Special revolver for beginners. A number of times they were having none of
it, saying "I really like the feel of this one" (191) in the initial handling period, and winding up
shooting it well and preferring it over all others. Ultimately, they will choose, and I am surprised
how often they select the 1911.
It has great ergonomics and is far easier to shoot than most would think who haven't had much
experience with it. If they are going to buy one, I recommend a companion Ruger 22/45 and
shooting more .22 ammo than .45 ammo for the first months, knowing that the cost and lower
recoil and blast are better for the early phase of learning to shoot a pistol well.
I was wondering if that was a 9mm version, which has lower recoil, because he was handling the
recoil very well. All the better with .45 ACP being the cartridge.
Well done, Trevor.
Bill