just remember with the revolver you only have 6 shots.the most versitle gun is a auto that has very few probs and is easy to fix in the field.for that i would go with a glock 22,40 cal. the 45 is a little too much kick for a lady.the 40 will give you a total of 11 shots/ one in the chamber and 10 in the magazine.i have now fired several thousand rounds thru my glock and never had any probs. very easy to clean also