I'm with the comment for a 3" barreled revolver.
My wife tried all my handguns and quickly ruled out the automatics. She really liked my 3" revolvers best. Her favorite was my S&W Model 65-3, followed by my big, custom-shortened (to 3 1/4") barreled Model 25-2 N frame in .45ACP.
Then . . . I ran across a gun I really felt she'd like based on what her preferences were . . . a 3" barreled Model 37 Airweight J-frame. It has the longer sight radius that allows her to shoot really, really well . . . and the longer barrel reduces the recoil quite a bit vs. the same gun in a snubbie!!!
I was right too . . . she LOVED the 3" Airweight snubbie . . . easy to carry, easy to hit with and the recoil was well in the acceptable range too!
Today I carry a 1971 Model 37 Airweight snubbie, and she carries her 1971 Model 37 Airweight 3" . . . and she's quite a shot with it.
BTW . . . Tyler T-grips on these little things makes recoil quite tolerable . . . much more so than using aftermarket "rubbers," IMHO.
My wife tried all my handguns and quickly ruled out the automatics. She really liked my 3" revolvers best. Her favorite was my S&W Model 65-3, followed by my big, custom-shortened (to 3 1/4") barreled Model 25-2 N frame in .45ACP.
Then . . . I ran across a gun I really felt she'd like based on what her preferences were . . . a 3" barreled Model 37 Airweight J-frame. It has the longer sight radius that allows her to shoot really, really well . . . and the longer barrel reduces the recoil quite a bit vs. the same gun in a snubbie!!!
I was right too . . . she LOVED the 3" Airweight snubbie . . . easy to carry, easy to hit with and the recoil was well in the acceptable range too!
Today I carry a 1971 Model 37 Airweight snubbie, and she carries her 1971 Model 37 Airweight 3" . . . and she's quite a shot with it.
BTW . . . Tyler T-grips on these little things makes recoil quite tolerable . . . much more so than using aftermarket "rubbers," IMHO.