Res Ipsa Loquitur

I think I would opt for a short-barrel revolver. No bells and whistles; just take it out and pull the trigger.

Lady Smith in .38 caliber or a "Bodyguard" in the same caliber on the high end. The autoloaders are usually too complicated to use quickly unless having extensive training in their use. Revolvers are easily "point and shoot" without having to go through a "proceedure" to prepare them.

I am a male of medium stature and carry an inexpensive but reliable Charter Arms Agent, 5 rounds of .38 caliber in a clip-on holster that allows me to carry on the left front or left side for a cross draw or in the back near my wallet where I can easily reach the pistol with my right hand. This revolver has an alloy frame so it is light and small so it is unobtrusive. If I need more firepower than what it provides I am going to abandon the fight and run like hell!

I have to agree with both of the above

My wife carries a Snub nose Tarus .38 special with MAGSAF rounds. Basically the rounds are a 38 hollow point in a .357 casing with ball bearing placed in the hollow point with a light epoxy.

The idea is if she needs it, she needs, and the poor guy is never getting up. Ever.

But its a simple, 5 shot wheel gun revolver, small enough for her purse, light enough for about anything she wants to do from hiking to jogging.

On the heavier ordanance I would say a .40 Smith and Wesson SIGMA or a USP 10mm.

The 40 S&W is set up very similar to the Glock series but less cost and better materials (IMHO anyway) The USP 10mm is standard issue for the Secret Service. You get better knockdown than a 9mm and still get the benfit of range, accuracy, 15 round clips, and weight of the firearm itself.

The biggest downfall of the .40 (I have one) is the weight factor. It weighs a good 2 pounds and that can get annoying in a holser under your shirt occasionally.

Did I mention I'm a Gun Geek?

Good suggestions all, thanks! I may have to get her to try a .38, though I don't particularly like them myself. I've been looking at the .40 S&W, I have a Glock .40 and don't really like it much. Mike's deadly with it, but I'm not so accurate with it. I think the grip doesn't fit my hand well enough. My .357 S&W revolver is my favorite, but it's too big to carry concealed.

I still think she needs a pistol, not a revolver. I'd much rather her have 10 shots than 6....just in case there's more than one bad guy. I doubt she'd carry it much, she really wants something to keep at home. For which, frankly, a 12 gauge shotgun loaded with 00's would be much better. I figure just the sound of it racking a shell in the chamber would put most bad guys running for the door. But she's afraid of them. I'm hoping taking a handgun class will make her more comfortable with guns in general.

Besides, the way our concealed carry laws are, if she can qualify with a pistol, she can carry a pistol or revolver. But if she qualifies with a revolver, she can only carry a revolver. Or that's the way it was last time I looked.

I have to agree that the Smith & Wesson .40s are good weapons, but weight really is an issue. My 4006TSW is an awesome weapon, but it's bulky and heavy for everyday carry. It's easy in the winter time, but something that big is darn-near impossible to conceal in the summer.

What about something like a Walther PPK/S? Granted, it's a 7 shot .380, but a .380 Hydra-Shok is still better than throwing rocks. I was thinking mostly about size and reliability.