If she can't cycle the Slide she needs a revolver, even if she thinks she doesn't want one.
Another vote for "Why do you want something you cannot operate?". You need to argue. If she wont listen to you, she should talk to an instructor, possibly even an female instructor. Silly women sometimes refuse to listen to those closest to them.
That and make sure if she gets her way, She is provided the BEST defensive ammo available for that caliber. The round is rather anemic and doesnt play nice with silly manufacturers who said "We'll just scale down our larger JHP design. What could go wrong?" Best stuff out there uses a Hornady XTP projectile. Those appear to be the most reliably expanding round out there. This gentleman ran LOTS of brands through the tests. Here are the final resuls.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNtPHYwcDts
Also, make sure she has the finger strength to operate the heavy revolver trigger.
Glock-42,
IMHO a revolver is the worst possible choice for a new shooter. Hitting your intended target being your primary goal if you discharge a firearm the long heavy trigger pull and lack of visible sights on most revolvers make that difficult to do. After, in the neighborhood of a thousand people in class at Parabellum in the last couple of years I can say I've had 3 that couldn't run the slide on a semi auto. It's technique not strength that gets the job done. Loading the mag can be another problem for people short of hand strength but an uplula loader will solve that problem. Revolvers are exactly as advertised, easy to load, unload and carry BUT difficult to hit something with because of a long heavy trigger pull. Make certain she can pull the trigger on what ever she thinks she wants before considering purchase. Getting her with a good trainer and keeping her safe should be your first mission. Please PM me if you have questions.
Certified Glock & M&P armorer
NRA Basic pistol instructor[FONT=&] /[/FONT][FONT=&] RSO[/FONT]
A .380 is a snappy little shot that stings the hand compared to the comparable ballistics of .38 special that just thumps even from a derringer. I own both guns. AMT Backup weighs 18 oz. Rohm model 17 weighs about 15 oz.
AMT snaps like getting snapped by a towel in the locker room. It pings and stings, twisting very quickly in the hand, a weak hand could drop it. It's an extremely irritating recoil. The .38 special Rohm by contrast just thumps and rocks back a bit, easily manageable and a very satisfying recoil.
And no, I am not suggesting getting a derringer. I am recommending against a very tiny .380 for weak hands. They are horrible. If you can't even rack the slide, how will you fire more than one shot. A tiny .38 special is delightful to shoot.
A .380 is a snappy little shot that stings the hand compared to the comparable ballistics of .38 special that just thumps even from a derringer. I own both guns. AMT Backup weighs 18 oz. Rohm model 17 weighs about 15 oz.
AMT snaps like getting snapped by a towel in the locker room. It pings and stings, twisting very quickly in the hand, a weak hand could drop it. It's an extremely irritating recoil. The .38 special Rohm by contrast just thumps and rocks back a bit, easily manageable and a very satisfying recoil.
And no, I am not suggesting getting a derringer. I am recommending against a very tiny .380 for weak hands. They are horrible. If you can't even rack the slide, how will you fire more than one shot after almost dropping it. A tiny .38 special is delightful to shoot.