Assuming that you have no children in the house and your wife is familiar with gun safety i would go with the glock. they are the most reliable and durable handgun made in my opinion. But the glocks have no external safties, so if you are looking for something with a little more safety features, then i would go with the springfield 1911, or a kimber. with your price range, you could afford a new glock, or springfield..it might be a little tough to find a kimber unless it is used. either way, you cant go wrong with one of these three