Milehog

Don't want her to have to remember the safety. DAO revolvers tend to have a heavy trigger.
Ruger has a new LCP II which claims half the effort to operate the slide vs. the LCP.. Anyone here have experience with the LCP II?
It is pretty new and I don't think laser sights are available for it yet.
S&W has a .380 Bodyguard with no safety and a laser but the slide pull is an unknown to me.
Easy to operate for arthritic hands is the #1 requirement here.

Onewolf

Revolver?

yarcraft91

Have that woman try a S&W hammerless J-frame, such as the 442 or 642.. She can dry fire one of those in the store to see if the trigger works for her. Few handguns are simpler to operate or more reliable.

Saltybrad

Sp 101

Shag

I'd lighten up the trigger on a wheel gun. Not enough to be dangerous but enough where it's not too stiff for her.

Milehog

I have a spurless DAO SP101 revolver and trigger is heavier than she likes.

sorry charlie

Revolver. My MIL has a baretta tomcat.32 tilt barrel that she likes. Anythings simple with enough exposure/practice. Training will make the experience safer for everyone.

autobaun70

This, and put a Wolfe spring kit in it to lower the trigger weight. Factory tends to be 13-14 lbs, and the Wolfe kit will get it to around 8. If you find a good deal on a Ruger they are fine too, I just greatly prefer the design of the smith. To the above list add the 438/638. That is the bob hammer version (accessible, but out of the way hammer with no exposed sour) of the same gun. The 400 series is black, and the 600 series is stainless. Bith are allow frames with steel barrels and cylinders.

For ammo, look at the hornady critical defense lite. Pink logo on the box. Great performer with reduced recoil for added confidence.

Jus Teasin

A Sig-Sauer P938 9mm has one of the easiest slides out there, but it does have a safety.

A Smith and Wesson .38 is a no-brainer gun.
642
649

Jimm

IMO! If you can't pull the trigger on a S&W J frame, you should not have a gun. You are going to,hurt yourself or someone else.

catfever24

My wife just went thru a concealed weapons course and she used a S & W 38 Special. It was tough at first for her to pull the trigger, but I took it in to a local gunsmith and he installed a softer trigger pull. Before the new trigger pull , she did not like that weapon at all. Now with a softer pull, she`s all over it.
Might want to look into that if it`s possible.

Shag

I wasn't talking about turning it into a hair trigger. Like catfever said, lighten it up a little bit. Yes, there is a difference between lightening a trigger and making a gun dangerous. I agree with both of y'all.

I do agree that Smith probably has some of the best triggers (depending on model) on the market but I am biased.

jcassara

Lady Colt 38

Gump88

The wife picked out a beretta pico laser sight .380 last week. The slide is a bear and trigger pull very hard. I do not reccomend it for a woman.

My friend has a S&W shield. The older ones have no saftey. The new ones do. Easy slide and trigger pull. She likes it. Now I get to buy her one of these.

joe.giuliano

S&W 642 but you need to have the trigger lightened. Also put the larger crimson trace grips on the gun.

Tuna_Trap_Queen

I've got a Springfield and Armory XDS 9mm with the 3 inch barrel. Doesn't kick and it is my conceal carry. Not too big to fit in a purse or in a bra in a pinch. It's smaller so it's perfect fit for a woman's hand.

Tireless

We went tried numerous revolvers for my wife. She is tiny and doesn't have great hand strength. She settled on the very easy to rack Kimber micro in .380. She routinely carries it and enjoys taking it to the range.

BOOMER

Glock 43

DNinja

I was going to say Glock 26, but we are near the same page.

autobaun70

I would agree with this if you are talking about a properly set up j frame. The ones they sell these days are only set up to suit the lawsuit scared lawyers, and are way too heavy on the double action pull. IMO it is much more dangerous for them to be set too heavy than to be set to the proper weight. 8-9 lbs is the heaviest a double action trigger should be to remain controllable. Any heavier and the chances of pulling a shot off target is greatly increased. Typically a heavy trigger will make you pull it high and right assuming you are right handed.