What to and not to look for?
I assume 9mm or .380 is a good caliber?

Are there ~2-3 good models to consider?

Not looking to spend a fortune.

1. Make sure if you buy her an automatic that she can cycle the weapon and clear a round. I can't stress that enough.

I was all set to buy Mrs. Irish a revolver until I showed her how to grab the slide on her Ruger LCP with three fingers and her thumb pad and then push with her right hand while simultaneously pulling with her left hand.

Make sure she tries this in the store before you buy anything.

Hammer less revolver?

Hammerless snub nose revolver...no trying to rack the slide, no jamming when least expected, easier to draw from her purse without snagging on everything else in her purse

Lady Smith is what I would recommend. Nothing wrong with a .38 special.

If that's the women's model of the j frame I like it a lot, I bought a 60 series last weekend and really like the lady model. Good looking grip

Will it be an every day carry piece or one to leave in the car or nightstand? She really just has to try them on to see what fits. You might find an indoor range that will let her try a variety of different options to see what she likes best.

I got a .380 and while it is easier to carry concealed, I am just not as much of a fan of it as I am my Taurus .45. We have considered looking at going to a 9mm as my CCW, but just haven't found the one I really LOVE yet.

If it will be a CCW, then it needs to be whichever one she will indeed carry and be willing to use.

My wife has tried to shoot my keltec380 with the idea of her getting a permit to carry, and it tries to jump out of her hand. Lighter and smaller isn't always better

X100
This is the safest and easiest for 99% of women. A lazer sight grip would be a great addition.

Mrs. Irish didn't like my Keltec 380 either, but she likes her Ruger LCP which is almost a copy... Go figure. I will tell you that the slide on the Ruger is easier to operate.

Buy her a Glock. No hammer or safety makes it simple and less likely she will accidently discharge a round.

I got mine a LCP and she didn't care for it so I bought a LCR and she loves it.

I'm going to send her to the Babes and Bullets course in October at the CMP Range for some extra training.

I would recommend the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380(semi) or 38 Special(revolver). Also, the Ruger LCR revolver is very lightweight and easy to carry, you can even get it in a 9mm. I would also check out the Beretta Pico, but the slide is harder to pull back than other 380's.

For all of these I would tell her to carry it on her body when she is out and not the purse. Gotta remember the purse will probably be the first thing to get snatched.

Beretta Tomcat...If .32cal ammo is too pricy for ya they make it in .22 also....Your welcome...

For anyone with little experience the long DAO trigger of a revolver is much safer.

My wife carries a Glock 43 and she loves it.

Hammer less s & w. Air weight 642. 38 special. That's what my wife carries. It will always go bang and no worry of jamming.

Sig Sauer's P938. Easy to work. Decent trigger, My wife loves it. The hammerless revolvers have to much trigger pull for her to hit anything.

.22mag or .38 special revolver. Most women don't shoot enough, and in a pressure situation, a jam means death. Most women just need a point and shoot gun, aka a j-frame revolver of their choice.

Armscor m206 is underrated.