Chief, as Tom Watson said in an earlier post, I have both the .380 and the 9mm. As I have no wife, and my daughter lives in South America, I can only give you my impressions. The 9mm is a wonderful self defense weapon, and fulfills it's role perfectly. The .380 is fun to shoot! I take both when I go shooting, fire my 3or4 magazines of 9mm then grab the .380 and have some fun. It truly is a joy to shoot! I admit to being somewhat prejudiced in favor of the .380 as I own 6 of them. Nothing excessive 'bout me. Anyway, for what it is worth, I highly recommend the .380 for your wife and daughters they'll love it. Gene