+1 on having her handle and fire as many guns as she can.
I'd also recommend that she do some research on her own. When I was searching for my first handgun, I had some great advice from lots of friends and a lot of pushing for a smaller caliber gun. After some research (someone mentioned corneredcat.com) and time I found that many women on police forces use the Kimber Procarry II (http://www.womenshooters.com/archive/old0702issue/tacoma0802.html). I figured if women (regardless of size) were carrying this gun, perhaps it warranted me looking into it. And I did. H&H held a day where many different reps showed up with lots of different handguns and I was fortunate enough to get to test drive the PC2. Turned out I was a pretty good shot with it and it felt GREAT it my hand. Even though it was a .45 and I'd been pushed away from this particular caliber because it was "too much gun for me", it's the one I chose. And, having owned it for 3 months now, it's my absolutely favorite.
Let her find one that she feels confident with while she has it in her hand. Don't judge if she chooses a larger or smaller caliber...and let her shoot as many guns as she can.
All that being said, I cast a vote for Glock. We own a 19 and it's what I started shooting. I think it's reasonable to expect that you can find one within the set price range and if she finds the grips a bit small (I did, but I do not have a small hand), there are always magazine extensions she can look into (and they're reasonably priced).
I'd also recommend that she do some research on her own. When I was searching for my first handgun, I had some great advice from lots of friends and a lot of pushing for a smaller caliber gun. After some research (someone mentioned corneredcat.com) and time I found that many women on police forces use the Kimber Procarry II (http://www.womenshooters.com/archive/old0702issue/tacoma0802.html). I figured if women (regardless of size) were carrying this gun, perhaps it warranted me looking into it. And I did. H&H held a day where many different reps showed up with lots of different handguns and I was fortunate enough to get to test drive the PC2. Turned out I was a pretty good shot with it and it felt GREAT it my hand. Even though it was a .45 and I'd been pushed away from this particular caliber because it was "too much gun for me", it's the one I chose. And, having owned it for 3 months now, it's my absolutely favorite.
Let her find one that she feels confident with while she has it in her hand. Don't judge if she chooses a larger or smaller caliber...and let her shoot as many guns as she can.
All that being said, I cast a vote for Glock. We own a 19 and it's what I started shooting. I think it's reasonable to expect that you can find one within the set price range and if she finds the grips a bit small (I did, but I do not have a small hand), there are always magazine extensions she can look into (and they're reasonably priced).