A friend of mine, female, very petite, just started shooting a couple, maybe 4 or 5 months ago. Out of all the calibers she has tried, she shoots .45 the best and the platform she shoots it best from is the 1911.
She has been going to the range and renting guns, different platforms and calibers, ever since she started and it still comes up .45 and 1911.
Of all the guns she has rented, the only ones she had a problem with, one stovepipe and one failure to feed, was with Kimbers. Yeah, I know the limp wristing contingent will jump in here, but she has had no problems with any other pistol. She didn't just limp wrist the Kimbers and nothing else.
She is trying to find a Rock River to take a look at. A lot of money and a lot of time to buy a gun you have never seen.
So far her favorites have been Springfield and Para Ordnance 1911's,.
Go to a range and shoot the ones you are interested in. Buy the one you shoot best.
By the way, she is progressing nicely and at 7 yards can put all shots into one ragged hole. Must be because she had a good first teacher, that's right, me.
DM