Waders, congrats on your wife coming around to handgun ownership and and CCW. However, I hate to have to rain on your parade a little, but the 1911 platform really isn't that great a decision for a novice, especially under stress. Shooting paper and bowling pins are fine, but under duress, with no training, a revolver would be a much better choice. No offense intended, just an experienced mans opinion.
The age old wheel vs Semi is a hard one. Both have advantages and disadvantages. She looked, she chose, she is practicing, and she has a great coach. I have seen Waders shoot.
Pins are a good practice. They teach accurate shooting at 25 feet, a distance way beyond the average confrontation. They teach fast and efficient reloads and the pressure of the competition is a lot better practice that just shooting paper. Besides, shooting pins is so much fun it make you want to practice.
