Might take a look at..
Quote: I have not yet purchased my gun, but I will be going with the XD. The simple truth of the matter is that I am getting married and I want my fiance to feel safe around the gun and shooting the gun. While I will know whether its cocked and loaded, she may not. The striker status indicator and loaded chamber indicator will let her know that if she grabs the gun, it will be ready to fire. This one little additional safety has made all the difference in my choice.
------------
...
First, congrats to you both, as a life long "best friend" is one of life's bonus's, as well as a, the, right gun for her, and for you.
I had bought my wife a new Sig P232 SL 380, thinking it was perfect for her, and I was in for a big surprise both, by how much snap, and twist, in recoil, this seemly, little, but heavy gun, produced with its blow-back action, and the maintenance it and the magazines require because of so much powder residue, because of the blow-back action to cycle the slide.
Then the thumb-release for the magazine really thru her, and me, when I realized, that no matter the break-in, those mags do not pop out, rather, you have to pull them out, as well as, angle them at first, before they will then go up and in.. Just time eaters, especially with any jams that require the mag to be released.. no joy.
Point of my story: I did a lot of research on the new Springfield 1911 EMP 9mm, which I believe, it is considered a sub-compact.. a very nice small gun.
Small, yet heavy, yet not, because of its balance, and nice, 9 round, single stack magazine/s (3) with purchase, and thin grip.
Slide action is so much easier than the Sig P232 for her to activate, along with; no long, rather heavy, full DA pull, as the EMP is a SAO, with the same, consistent, crisp trigger pull every time. Cocked and locked, rdy for instant use, with 2 safety's on, one the thumb, slide-release, safety, and the Grips rear palm-grip safety.
She loves it, as do I, and she can shoot it one handed, without it twisting like the Sig does, nor is the recoil as snappy as the Sig 380, and her accuracy went up 100% with this gun over the Sig.
It comes with Novak night sights, and IMO, and for her as well, this gun is a tack driver at close range, 16ft, out to 50ft, and it has been flawless thru 470 rounds to date.
Just wanted to say ya might want to check one out as well..
Best of luck in the marriage to come, as well as whatever gun you choose for the both of you.
LS
PS.. yes, the Sig has a bullet-chambered-indicator, and believe me, that little red indicator is not easy to see, nor would I trust it, as it was some kind of Lawyer agreement IMHO, and any and all guns should be considered loaded, until properly checked out > that it is not. Otherwise, a false since of protection that can lead to a big mistake if relied on.