[NIFT]

Two cents (well, maybe a nickle or dime!):

Suggest your sister get some range time with various guns, and, of course, I strongly recommend competent training. I have seen WAY too many people buy guns for "protection" and never--or rarely--fire them. Get good training and regular "trigger time."

That said, the primary and absolute requirement for any defensive firearm is 100% reliability under all conditions. One gun-caused malfuntion is too many! Some ladies have a hard time racking slides on semi-autos, and a revolver is a better choice for them. I recommend either Ruger or Smith & Wesson revolvers in .38 or .357 mag., and I supply those guns to my students, with ammunition, to use in my basic NRA classes.

For semi-autos, again, absolute reliability is the primary consideration.
Glocks, Springfields, Sigs, Berettas, are good choices, but I recommend guns with fewer "gizmos," such as external safeties, decockers, and so on. In a deadly force encounter, fine motor skills go away, and, for that reason, I don't recommend 1911 types for beginners; plus, many 1911 models are prone to malfunction.

For caliber selection, I suggest a minimum of .38 or 9mm. My wife, 5' 7" and 125 pounds, has a Glock 30 in .45 ACP and just loves it. No need to fear the .40 S&W or .45 ACP.

Hope this is some help.

Bob Aldridge
260-459-2382