Bingo. It's only a question of getting used to mid-level recoil. If she can't commit to that, she probably shouldn't have a gun.Yes, true statement. The trigger pull on any rimfire revolver is a detriment to good shooting and for some people it's an obstruction to shooting, period.
To the OP's original question, one might ask, are you really sure that your friend can't handle a .38 special revolver with target wadcutters, or say an SP101 in .327 loaded with .32 long wadcutters?
Hmm? A Single Six is a rimfire revolver that you just recommended for self defense, despite the fact that it's SAO...If the answer to that question is yes, can't handle anything except.a .22, one might suggest a .22 auto or even a single-six. I can't hit anything past 5 yards with the rimfire revolvers I've tried a time or two.
as much as i like rimfire, i honestly can’t recommend 22wmr handguns for occasional shooters such as snowdog’s friend: the flashbang can be really, really off-putting, i.e. less practice, less accuracy; double-action trigger-pull will be tough; the result of 22wmr versus 22lr isn’t really worth the former’s extra trouble & expense.
Oninotaki what has been your experience with your sidekick? I haven’t seen many folks giving a review of it. What about sticky chambers. Round count?