My wife has a Bernerdelli 60 which is a European 9mm short...or a 380 if you're State side. It's the perfect fit for her hand, but being 30 or so years old and being an import means it's not easy to get parts for and it jams due to a loose lower plate on the magazine. A $35 fix, but it wasn't easy to find companies that make the part.

I found lots of information here:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/index.php

I recommend like the other guys, go to a range that rents guns and spend the time sorting through what she wants versus needs and what will ultimately work for her.

There are lots of places that offer beginner training/safety training that's helpful for even those of us who have years of experience can benefit from. I hope to get the wife into one soon.

I too will be trying out some firearms soon as I'd like to have something to use to get my CHL.

Let us know what decision you make. I wouldn't recommend a Bernerdelli for anyone, unless you'd just like to have a good looking Italian pistol that's easy to handle and fires well.

J