Also, cost is not an issue to get a stainless piece.
I just helped my mother through this process. We were at the shot show where she could handle them all. She found that the .32 Tomcat Berretta with laser sights was great for her. Just be sure to use full metal jacket ammo for max penetration. She didn’t have the finger strength for any double action. Tomcat was nice because you can pull hammer back and then engage safety. Then all you have to do to use is safety off, nice light single action trigger. Before all you .45 freaks go crazy, remember, this is for a grandmother here...