[deoetdoctrinae]

If your wife is good with trigger-finger strength, definitely look at suggestions by KoRn in 2, and Daffynition in 33, for good ideas in a DA wheel gun.

If she has no problem working the slide in a semi-auto, the Bersa .380 that IOWAfan mentioned in 24 is a good carry choice. Not as compact as the tiny ones like Keltec P3AT, but recoil is not nearly as noticeable.

Finally, as many have mentioned, go to a gun range and let her try a few different guns, and see if she finds one, about which she says "I can carry and fire this one all day long".

Good luck.

[Daffynition]

A friend sent me this suggesting I should have one when I walk the dog at night: The Texas flashlight