[Truth29]

Everybody on this thread has already given more and better advice than I can so I'll just give a plug for one model to consider. My wife is small statured with small hands and wasn't comfortable with firearms at first. After trying a number of different models, she settled on a Sig P232 (380) and absolutely loves it. It is important to be comfortable with and like firing your weapon or you won't keep up the necessary practice.

[domenad]

That's another that keeps coming up. Looks like the first ones I'll get her try are the .380, the Makarov, and the .357 snub and go from there.