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Some personal opinions, which you should dutifully ignore along with all others until you have read the "Bible".

1. I would never let a loved one rely on a Glock. There are too many creepy stories about negligent discharges, and I have heard about them discharging without the trigger even being touched when the frame is torqued. These are very controversial, open to dispute, and Glocks are still great guns. But there are other EUro brands that compete and arguably exceed without all the worrisome stories. (HK, Sig, etc.)

2. The best carry gun is one you CARRY (but as powerful as possible given that.) Cost no object, 9mm pocket gun from www.rohrbaughfirearms.com is a real ideal (but over $1000, and worth it.) Realistic option at 1/4 the price is Kel-Tec P3AT(?) (.380 ACP)

3. It is a myth that delicate women have trouble with powerful calibers. A 45 can be perfect. Don't let anyone teach your lady to be frightened. Get good instruction first, and ignore the boobs (there are lots of them.)

4. Get the best holster you can, and plan on buying several until you get the perfect one for each season and carry type.

5. Don't try to be too rational or analytical about your purchasing decision. You'll buy more later anyway. The most important thing is that you need to LOVE the gun, the way it looks, shoots, feels. You need to feel pride of ownership. that's because it will make you want to practice, and make you want to carry it with you. Without those things, you may as well pick a different hobby.

"It is a myth that delicate women have trouble with powerful calibers. A 45 can be perfect. "

Right on, 'bub.

My wife is 5'4" and owns her own Ruger SP101 .357 with 3" barrel. She shoots it with .38+p's (hope we're not giving domenad too much info here), and she can shoot my GP100 with some magnum loads.

She genuinely gets a thrill out of shooting her dad's .45 auto, though.

Because of the .45's knockdown power, I suppose, people tend to overestimate the .45's effect on the shooter's end. I once saw an eight year old kid shoot a .45 with mild loads, under his dad's close supervision of course.

My next handgun(s) will probably be big-bore revolver(s) because of their effectiveness relative to their recoil - .44special, .45acp REVOLVER, and/or .45 colt.

Their only drawback is that they're not really concealable for those in warm climes, but goodness what a nightstand piece...

Also I appreciate your remark about how important it is, at a point, to just buy the one that you LIKE best. If you like it you'll have a better rapport with it just like a friend, and you'll take it out and shoot it more.