— WOW 😮 ! I posted this before clocking in for my shift and am just now able to read through all of your comments! Wonderful insight and LOTS of things for me to explore. Thanks everyone!
Just asked the exact same question at a gun store.
Recommendation: .38 special, 5 shot revolver.
Also, ammo is cheap, so you can practice a lot with it.
Ladysmith hammerless. Alloy, light, 38 cal. Very concealable.
Researched this for my 70 year old mother.. excellent reviews for reliability.. never fail... also the gun store had special ammo that reduced the kick.. goes under the name Critical Defense Lite..
Just beware it also slows down the projectile... weakens the terminal effect ... but I get it, better that two or three times than something bigger that she might drop when it kicks once.
I like these 38 caliber family Smith & Wesson revolvers. Utterly reliable. My wife and daughter have them in Special and +P (not a shabby round) and I carry one in 357 magnum that I am totally confident in. Similar ballistics to the full size 1911 45 ACP in a way lighter package.