Lots of good discussion here. I especially like the part about using hotter ammo for practice. A buddy of mine tried my 229 loaded with HST 147 +p and remarked how heavy the recoil was. I suggested that he try the ammo that was currently in his Glock (HST 124gr) and he was, again, surprised at the recoil. He hadn't shot his carry ammo in months and trains with low powered ammo. He had a different solution than me though: he dropped the HST and started carrying a lighter recoiling load, I think the Barnes 115gr.
As far as the new blaster goes: Keith over at DW came up with a brilliant (and more expensive) solution. He is just going to build my new 1911 in .45 and then build me another complete, matching upper in 9mm.