Load soft point ammo in a carbine and it is not a plinker, it’s a great defense weapon for the home. I have put one in the hands of women for training and so far every one of them has preferred it to the ARs. I can shoot it in my garage without ear protection, too. Never try that with an AR, even if you’re half deaf like me.
I agree with you that the Carbine is an excellent firearm for a woman as it smaller, lighter and fires a lighter load then the Garand. I recently took my recently widowed cousin to the gun store. I tried her out on a 12 gauge and I could tell she wasn’t happy. Then brilliant man that I am I asked about the 20 gauge and she was happy. As a new shooter as many women are they feel that they will loose control of a large heavy firearm. With that in mind I got her a .22 for practice and will wait until she gets bored with it and replace it with a mini-14. For now she is happy with her new firearms and that is the most important thing.