Get yourself a Lady Smith which is a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber which is a snub nose perfect for your purse or pocket. At point blank range its perfect.
Agree. Or a Taurus titanium 38. Load with high velocity MagSafe pre-fragmented ammo, add a Crimson Trace, aim for center body mass, and it blows large holes.
Ballistics data and ammo info: http://www.magsafeonline.com/
The MagSafe ammo is fascinating use of safe technology and high velocity loads. Focus is on impact, take down and limited blow-by (as in collateral damage in say, an apartment). These are used by pro SWAT for just that reason, am told by SWAT pals, and SEALs.
Controversy will ensue on this, but they do deadly work, can testify.
Not for a purse. The first thing a bad guy does is separate the purse from the victim. Also, women tend to put the purse down a lot, just like the kid who shot his mom with her carry gun shopping. Keep the gun on the person.