“End game: Once the police show up, I’ve racked out any live rounds and placed the gun on the floor at least 8 feet from me, while I lie on the ground with my hands behind my back. What do you think of our protocol?”
That plan has merit. You want to be able to concentrate on the threat without worrying about your wife’s safety or her getting shot by either yourself or an intruder. Remember though, a fiberglass tub is not going to stop a bullet although it may slow it down a bit. Making sure you are not holding the firearm when the police arrive (as long as the threat has been neutralized) is definitely a good idea.
My Wife's safety comes before ALL else. Already explained no live fire until I'm sure it's not my Wife. As for getting shot by the intruder[s], that's the chess game in a house. I've practiced day time intrusions and night time. For night when most invasions occur, that's why I have a high powered light on the barrel. While I'm at an advantage point, turn it on and truly is blinding.
Sure, the bad guys know where I am once the light is on, but I can see everywhere within the light's range. At that point safety goes off (just in front of the trigger guard) and he/they lose. Also, I won't rack my slide hoping the sound scares off the intruders. If intrusion is real, there is already one in the chamber. Plus, I have an 8 round extended tube magazine.
FYI, I have practiced with my 870 at the local range every couple years. I can fire from shoulder, armpit, and hip. Trick for armpit and hip is distance from body. I like hip best, although not as accurate as shoulder or armpit. But then we're talking 00 buck load and brilliant light. They better be good shots or they are getting cut in half.
No, I won't use a pistol for home defense because of the close proximity to neighbors.