Ladies and revolvers are sexy. And Ladies with semi-autos are sexy.
The choice of a handgun really boils down to a few things. 1) Feel. Does it just feel right in your hand?
2) Aim - Does the gun point and shoot where you think it does when it is comfortably in your hand?
3) Recoil - Is the recoil manageable and not uncomfortable? How quick is the follow on shot?
4) Holstering - can you find a holster that is comfortable to wear, that allows you to draw properly and fast?
5) Fit to purpose - reliable, easy to use.
6) Appearance - to some it matters, some not. No offense, but this does matter more to women than men.
I find this to be a fine assessment of considerations ladies (or anyone, for that matter) should consider in their choice of firearms, should they choose to either purchase, own, or carry a firearm.
I would add the following questions:
1. Are you intending it to be a full-time defense weapon, that is, you would carry it (if legal) at all times?
2. Are you intending it to be a home defense weapon?
3. Are you intending it to be a "just in case weapon?"
If the first, I'd argue it behooves you to go with a multi-shot semi-auto, and become very familiar with rapid reload, barrier techniques, etc.
If the second, get a min-length semi-auto shotgun of a caliber you can handle (I dunno - .410? 12 guage?) and please practice so you won't hesitate at blowing away a perp but will stop short of shooting a concerned neighbor who heard loud noise behind your house...
If the third, it's your choice.
I've been in all three situations, and here's what I choose, and why:
1. .380 ACP for the first few years, with a .44 magnum home defense backup. Reason being: With a .44 magnum, I can double-tap center body mass at 0.20 sec intervals at 15 yds without fail.
2. My 9mm, with a .44 magnum backup. Reason being: I can double-tap center body mass at 0.20 sec intervals at 25 yds without fail.
Are we seeing a pattern, here? It's about stopping the threat, nothing more. I can stop the threat with my 9mm. Even if they're wearing body armor, a shot to the head works well.
But that's less than a third of the equation! The other third involves the use of barriers against the perps! They're shooting at you, too, right? Are you bulletproof? I'm not! I rely on two things:
10% I'm a hell of a lot better shot than they are
90% I'm a hell of a lot better use of barriers than they are
There's a third factor, but I can't give away
all my secrets... I'd have to talk with that NRA/Israeli guy, first.
Now. AS to appearance - Revolvers are from an era of gun making where the look of the firearm really mattered. The idea of it looking like something to send someone to meet their maker was important. Aesthetics focused on intimidation of those who would threaten the carrier of the firearm. A thing of deadly beauty, if you will... An era of things being crafted, not made...
So. Yes. I have found women do like revolvers better. I have also found they have a tendency to carry revolvers more than semi-autos, too.
Pull and shoot, I get it, and my personal 16+1 setup is set up the same way. Why limit our ladies to 6+0 setups when, with just a touch of additional training (which my nine-year-old son mastered six months ago), a 16+1 setup is entirely within their grasp?
I'll not tolerate this sexist crap, especially since my 1989 girlfriend continually outshot me at the range until a friendly sheriff stepped in to help adjust my aim. So my ex was Annie Oakly reincarnated, or not, I don't care. I fire true today, but she did before me, and very well, for a California girl...
Truth be honest, she could knock my socks off, but unless she's improved tremendously, not anymore. Regardless, she's still a California girl, which I do NOT mean derrogatorially, but rather, that there are pro-2A citizens all over the place.
Alas, she married some guy she's happy with, so I'll not speak disparingly of either him or her.
Woof. C-130s rule.