A few years back when my wife had never fired a hand gun and we went to the range and I took a bunch with me. We started with small revolvers and semi auto's then worked up. Pretty much in this order: Rossi 22lr revolver, Ruger Mark II-22lr, SW67-38 spl, SW642-38 spl, Glock 19-9mm, Glock 26-9mm, Kahr PM 9, Ruger Speed Six-357, Glock 23-40sw, Kahr K40, Glock 27-40sw, SA XD45c, Kimber 1911-45acp. I didn't bother with anything larger because she wanted a carry gun, no big 357's, 44's or 45's. I was convinced she would have picked the SW642, but she actually settled on the SA XD45c. She hated the recoil in 40sw's and the small 9's didn't feel like enough, she was ok with the G19, but shot the XD really well and mentally wanted the fire power of a 45. Bottom line take her shooting and see what see likes and shoots well.