[the lastbestlady]

I am a woman and I carry a Smith and Wesson "Airweight" .38 special with a shrouded hammer and an inch and a half barrel. If I had buy it again I would get the full weight model. (probably the "ladysmith") The Airweight is a real hand-stinger because of how light it is. This gun is definitely for up close and personal self-defense and it takes practice to be accurate with it because of the short barrel.

[domenad]

That sounds like a good choice there, maybe the full-weight option. Again, I don't want her to fell comfortable heading to downtown tampa looking for weed, I just want her to have a little something if someone decides to road rage on her. That size sounds perfect.

[B4Ranch]

"This gun is definitely for up close and personal self-defense and it takes practice to be accurate with it because of the short barrel."

In the US, most gunfights are under 14 feet, which certainly is "up close and personal" enough for me.

[freedomlover]

I carry one of those Airweights and practice with a glove.

I'm not too worried about the sting to my hand if I shoot someone. However if you can't recover from the first shot that is a different matter. But you can find that out with practice practice practice.