By The Intrepid in PDW — 01 May 2025

Holding Space: A Fighting Chance

Defensive Arms for the Reluctant Civilian

Foreword

The first time I picked up a handgun, it was at a sheriff’s department training facility.
I didn’t feel power. I felt math.

This isn’t about turning your home into a fortress or roleplaying collapse.
It’s about acknowledging risk—and giving yourself a fighting chance if reality kicks in your door.

In an increasingly unpredictable world, the "average Joe"—a city or suburban dweller with a family, limited budget, and minimal firearms experience—faces the challenge of preparing for a "shit hits the fan" (SHTF) scenario, such as riots, power outages, or natural disasters. Unlike dedicated preppers who invest heavily in catastrophic readiness, the non-prepper urbanite prioritizes affordability, simplicity, and family safety.

This essay evaluates three handgun options for home and personal defense in such contexts: the $500 Glock G17 (9mm, polymer-framed), the $1200+ 1911 (.45 ACP, steel-framed), and the $2000+ 2011 (9mm or .45 ACP, modernized 1911). Drawing on a detailed comparison, we argue that the Glock G17 is the optimal choice for the average Joe, addressing budget constraints, training accessibility, and family-centric needs, while acknowledging the appeal of the 1911/2011 for traditionalists and their limitations for non-preppers.

Defining the Average Joe’s Needs

The average Joe is a middle-income (~$60,000–$80,000/year) urban or suburban resident, likely in their 30s–50s, with a spouse and children (ages 5–18). They own a handgun for self-defense but lack the time, budget, or enthusiasm of a prepper. Their SHTF scenarios are short-term (days to weeks), involving home defense against looters, escorting family to safety, or securing supplies during disruptions. Key priorities include:

Affordability: Discretionary income (~$300–$600/month) is limited by family expenses (e.g., groceries, childcare), restricting spending on guns, ammo, and training.
Simplicity: A handgun must be easy to use with minimal training, given work (40–50 hours/week) and parenting duties.
Family Safety: High capacity and safe storage (e.g., quick-access safe) are critical to protect against multiple threats while preventing child access.
Training Accessibility: Urban/suburban ranges ($10–$25/visit) and time constraints (1–2 hours/month) limit live-fire practice, making affordability and simplicity paramount.

TPOTT Speaks

The Trash Panda of The Truth, rummaging through your epistemic compost bin, leaves this behind:

"Refusal is not surrender.
It's a different form of readiness."

Handgun Options: Glock G17, 1911, and 2011

Glock G17 ($500, 9mm)

The Glock G17 is a striker-fired, polymer-framed 9mm pistol renowned for reliability and simplicity. At $500 (or $400 used), it’s affordable, leaving budget for ammo (1000 rounds 9mm, $250), a holster ($30–$50), and a biometric safe ($100–$200). Its 17+1 round capacity handles multiple threats, and 9mm’s low cost ($0.25–$0.30/round) enables training at $15–$30 for 50–100 rounds/month. The trigger-only system (no manual safety) and loose tolerances ensure ease of use and reliability with minimal maintenance, ideal for novices under stress. Weighing 25 oz, it’s comfortable for concealed carry or home storage, and 9mm’s ubiquity aids scavenging in urban SHTF.

1911 ($1200+, .45 ACP)

The 1911, a single-action, steel-framed pistol, is a classic with a storied history (e.g., WWI, WWII). High-end models ($1200–$3000, e.g., Wilson Combat) offer forged components, corrosion-resistant finishes (e.g., Cerakote), and crisp triggers (3.5–4.5 lb), delivering 1–2” groups at 25 yards. However, its $1200+ cost and .45 ACP ammo ($0.45–$0.55/round, $45–$110 for 100–200 rounds/month) strain budgets. The 7–8 round capacity requires frequent reloads, and the manual safety and tight tolerances demand extensive training and maintenance, challenging for a time-strapped parent. At 35–40 oz, it’s heavy for carry, and .45 ACP’s recoil is less forgiving for novices.

2011 ($2000+, 9mm or .45 ACP)

The 2011, a modernized 1911 (e.g., Staccato P), features double-stack magazines (15–20+ rounds), optics-ready slides, and modular grips. Priced at $2000–$4000, it’s prohibitively expensive, with proprietary mags ($50–$100) and optics maintenance adding costs. 9mm models ($25–$60/month for training) are more affordable than .45 ACP ($45–$110/month), but complexity (safety, optics) and weight (30–40 oz) deter carry and training. While high capacity and accuracy (1–1.5” groups) appeal, the learning curve and maintenance needs exceed the average Joe’s resources.

Comparative Analysis

Affordability and Resource Allocation

The Glock G17’s $500 price and $15–$30/month training cost fit the average Joe’s budget, allowing investment in ammo (500–1000 rounds, $125–$250) and safety gear (safe, $100–$200). The 1911’s $1200+ cost and .45 ACP’s $45–$110/month strain family finances, limiting training and preparedness. The 2011’s $2000+ price is even less feasible, diverting funds from essentials like food or medical supplies. The Glock maximizes resource allocation, critical for non-preppers.

Simplicity and Ease of Use

The Glock’s trigger-only system and reliable design require minimal training, ensuring effectiveness in high-stress SHTF (e.g., nighttime home invasion). Its low maintenance suits disruptions with scarce cleaning supplies. The 1911’s manual safety, single-action trigger, and tight tolerances demand practice to master, risking errors (e.g., forgetting safety) for novices. The 2011’s optics and safety add complexity, impractical for a parent with limited skills. The Glock’s simplicity aligns with the average Joe’s needs.

Training Accessibility

Training 50–100 rounds/month ($15–$30) with the Glock is feasible within urban range costs ($10–$25/visit) and time constraints (1–2 hours/month). Daily dry-fire (free) builds proficiency at home. The 1911’s .45 ACP cost ($45–$110/month) and complexity (safety, reloads) make even 50 rounds/month challenging, while the 2011’s optics and mags require more live-fire. The prior assertion that 100–200 rounds/month is difficult for most owners underscores the Glock’s advantage, as its simplicity reduces training needs.

Capacity and Ammo

The Glock’s 17+1 9mm capacity handles multiple threats (e.g., 2–3 looters), and 9mm’s low recoil and ubiquity aid control and scavenging. The 1911’s 7–8 rounds are insufficient for sustained encounters, and .45 ACP’s cost limits stockpiling. The 2011’s 15–20+ rounds (9mm) match the Glock but are costlier to maintain. The Glock’s capacity and ammo practicality are ideal for family defense.

Family-Centric Use

The Glock’s 25 oz weight and 1.34” width make it easy to carry or store in a safe, balancing child safety and rapid access. Its high capacity and simplicity ensure a stressed parent can protect kids effectively. The 1911’s 35–40 oz and safety complicate carry and use, while the 2011’s bulk and optics are cumbersome. The Glock best serves family-centric SHTF.

Addressing the Traditionalist Perspective

Traditionalists favor the 1911 for its heritage ("It won two World Wars!"), .45 ACP stopping power, and steel durability, arguing it outperforms the “plastic” Glock in SHTF. They may see our Glock-centric conclusion as dismissive, raising a red flag despite considering their view. They claim:

Durability: Steel 1911/2011s withstand abuse (e.g., drops) better than polymer.
Stopping Power: .45 ACP ensures one-shot stops, unlike 9mm.
Accuracy: 1–2” groups at 25 yards excel for precise SHTF shots.

However, these advantages are impractical for the average Joe:

Budget/Time: $1200–$4000 and $45–$110/month (.45 ACP) are unaffordable, and urban range limits (1–2 hours/month) hinder 1911/2011 training.
Simplicity: Safety and complexity increase error risk under stress, unlike the Glock’s trigger-only system.
SHTF Reality: Close-range (0–15 yards) urban defense prioritizes capacity (17+1) and ease of use over precision or .45 ACP power. 9mm JHP matches .45 ACP in modern tests (12–18” penetration).

The traditionalists’ emotional attachment to the 1911’s legacy doesn’t address the average Joe’s practical constraints, reinforcing the Glock’s suitability.

Conclusion and Recommendations

For the non-prepper urbanite, the Glock G17 is the optimal handgun for home and personal defense in SHTF. Its affordability, simplicity, high capacity, and training accessibility ensure a carried, trained gun—more useful than a vaulted 1911/2011, per our discussions. The 1911/2011’s durability, stopping power, and accuracy appeal to Fudds but are impractical given budget ($15–$30 vs. $45–$110/month), time, and family needs.

Recommendations:

Purchase: Buy a Glock G17 ($500), 3–5 mags ($20–$30 each), a holster ($30–$50), and a biometric safe ($100–$200). Stockpile 500–1000 9mm rounds ($125–$250).
Training: Train 50–100 rounds/month ($15–$30, 1–2 range visits) and 10–15 minutes/day dry-fire (free), focusing on 5–15 yard drills. Attend a defensive pistol class ($100–$200) once.
SHTF Prep: Carry concealed or stage in a safe. Prioritize ammo, food, and first aid over premium guns.

The Glock G17 empowers the average Joe to protect their family effectively, balancing practicality and preparedness in an uncertain world.

Postscript: Budget Alternatives
Budget-friendly Glock clones and alternatives, such as the Ruger RXM ($399–$499), Smith & Wesson SD9/SD9VE ($300–$350), and Taurus G3/G3C ($250–$350), offer cost-effective options for the average Joe.

The Ruger RXM, a 2024 Glock Gen 3 clone with 15+1 capacity and modularity, nearly matches the Glock G17’s reliability, simplicity, and SHTF suitability, saving $50–$150 for ammo or gear.

The S&W SD9 provides 16+1 capacity at a lower price, but its heavy trigger (8–10 lb) and limited aftermarket support hinder training and reliability, making it a secondary choice.

The Taurus G3, the cheapest option, offers 15–17+1 capacity and improved reliability, but quality control risks and a heavy trigger (6–8 lb) reduce its dependability in high-stress SHTF scenarios.

All outperform the costly, complex 1911/2011 for non-preppers, with the RXM as the best alternative to the Glock G17, ensuring a carried, trained gun within tight budgets and urban constraints.

Afterword

What does defense mean when you can’t rely on the state, but also don’t want to become the state?

If you only ever use your firearm to feel less afraid, what are you actually training for?