I've said it before, and I'll say it again. A 38spl revolver is a good starter purse gun for a woman. Not one of those 12-15 oz jobs either. Well, at least not the 12oz.
Personally, I feel anybody should start with something along the lines of an M&P, G19, P2000 type frame and work down. First, they should be competent at shooting, very competent if they plan on carrying. Then, after becoming competent with a larger frame gun, they can move down to a "carry size."
I don't like the idea of somebody who's brand spanking new with maybe 300 rounds downrange carrying and firing off rounds not having a clue as to where they'll go. Go get some training, period. It doesn't have to be a super duper range place, it could be a local LE who teaches on the side...but a newbie should get training. Primarily, there are those, even on one or two of these boards, who believe it's perfectly acceptable to have their finger on the trigger, even if it's just a minute amount of pressure. Start of learning properly, and all those bad habits won't have to be erased.
