ORIGINAL: bigbulls
If it is going to be a true purse pistol then forget about the autos and get a hammerless 5 shot .38 special revolver.
One of the benefits to a woman carrying a gun in her purse is the ability to fire that gun from inside her purse should she not havethetime to retrieve it from her purse and take aim. Alsothe would be attacker has no idea what-so-ever. A revolver will be able to fire all of its rounds where as a semi-auto will get off a single shot and likely jam.
I have to agree with Bigbulls. It would beallot safer carrying a revolver then a semi auto,plus the reliability.That little Ruger even though I haven't seen one yet sounds to be a decent little gun. I personally want more then a 380 for a carry gun. That's just a matter of opinion and everyone has different opinions. Smith makes hammerless and shrouded "J" frames that would be a much better choice for a purse gun.