“I don’t recommend semi-autos because the women I know are reluctant to carry with the safety off”
In many cases, women don’t have the hand strength to cycle the action on small semi-auto handguns. If you can’t load it, you can’t shoot it. Additionally, in the case of the Ruger LCP, the trigger pull was way too hard for at least one lady I know who has very small hands.
I have arthritis in my thumbs and I generally find Rugers easier to use. Never tried a semi-auto though.
Finally people are acknowledging that it’s difficult for most women to use automatics and not just mocking us as being inept. I am an unusually strong woman, but I cannot safely pull the slide back. I can do it eventually, but the barrel gets waved around in an unacceptable manner, so I only carry and use revolvers.
If they are going to carry a weapon in their purse a S&W Jframe .38spl. either the model 36, 637 or 642 are excellent choices along with the light weight Ruger version or if you can find one a Colt Detective Special which gives you six rounds instead of the five in the other snubbies.
If they want an automatic the Ruger LCP, S&W Shield, Glock 42 or SIG P238 are excellent choices. But if they can’t rack the slide that becomes an issue. Either you can or can’t. If you have someone chamber a round for you and you carry that is okay to a point. What happens if you get a jam and have to clear the weapon and can’t, then you have a nice hunk of metal to throw at a would be goblin.
In either case revolver or automatic, get a good holster, even if it is purse carry. Keys and other things can knock safety’s off on auto’s and get caught in triggers on revolvers. A trigger covering holster should be used at all times.
If the weapon is going to be for home defense or left in your glove box I recommend a four inch barrel S&W, Ruger, or Colt .357 magnum, loaded with self-defense .38spl rounds. I am partial to the Model 19 S&W’s or the Model 66 S&W in stainless. The heavier magnum will feel much tamer with the .38spl loads. And if they are going to carry, practice and get some basic weapons handling training.