I think I forgot a critical bit of info. My wife is 5'6" and weighs between 135 and 140lbs. She will not dress around the gun while on her twice daily walks. A gun that I can easily hide in a pocket can be a bit big for her to carry that way. I'm 6'1" and 200lbs. Recoil isn't a huge issue, as long as the gun fits her. She shoots a 38 Super or 45ACP 1911 just fine, her favorite range and home guns are her M&P CORE with a red dot sight, my Dan Wesson Vigil 9mm, and my CGW upgraded CZ75B.