I agree with Snook384. If you have a firearm for home defense / personal protection you must be ready to use it. Pulling it out and showing it off won't do much good.

It does sound like she is ready to buy.

I would take her to the gun shop and let her pick out which ones fit her hand the best. Similar styled guns will fit differently.

I usually recommend a S&W 642 with enclosed hammer for a carry gun because it can be carried in her purse and fired in the purse with out jamming. Federal Hydroshok in .38+p will get the job done.

As for a Semi-auto pistol I like the Springfield XD. It comes in a compact (4" barrel) and the sub-compact (3" barrel). It is an excellent handgun and is very reasonable as far as price goes. Another one I like if she wants a little small is a Kahr. Excellent handgun and a little more expensive than the XD.

Glocks are also a good handgun and if she is interested in one I would recommend that she handle one before buying. I know that for me the newer Glock do not fit my hands properly but the older models do fit. My problem is I have very large hands and some models just don't fit and Glock is one of them.

Just my $.02

Good Luck!