Does the new recoil system make any measurable difference on the muzzle flip / felt recoil of the .40 cal? I know that .40 isn't necessarily that nasty but all thing being equal...
When I first got my G23 I found recoil was quite snappy with the ammunition available at that time. It wasn't the "kick" but the torque. It seemed to want to twist in my grip and that abraded my delicate palm and thumb pad
Soon, ammunition was developed to provide excellent self defense terminal ballistics without the harsh snap. That is shootable all day long.
I've introduced a small woman. 5'2", to shooting and she loved the G23. Had a Ruger MKII along and we started with it but after she shot the 23, she didn't want to touch it again and shot the 23 till the 100 rounds were gone. She got her own 23 and CCW and the 23 is what she carries.
I'm sure the 22 will be more manageable.