In search of...

[kmitch200]

FBG, you might keep your eye out for a Sig P225/P6.
 
9mm single stack, only slightly bigger than a J frame (and not as fat), 8+1 cap, good DA/SA trigger, accurate.
My wife has RA and she loves the 225.

[fightingquaker13]

One other thought. I don't know much about combloc weapons, but I have not heard a bad word about Tokarevs or CZs, and both the pistols and ammo are cheap. I'd look at Classic Arms. They start at about $210 and they're giving the ammo away. Beyond that, I can't help you, but the Russians aren't known for issueing their soldiers an unreliable gun. It might be ugly, and I don't think you want to enter into a bullseye competion, but I'd bet it will go bang for a very reasonable price.
FQ
 http://www.classicfirearms.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=tok

[les snyder]

I've worked with ladies that were older or arthritic...most could tolerate a .380 or 9mm single stack of most any manufacture...what caused them the most difficulty was unloading a chambered round (with an adrenalin rush they could charge my 1911 with a 22# recoil spring, but after a "threat" was over had difficulty unloading the chambered round)... a solution for many of them was a Beretta M86... with a tip up barrel

for a single stack you might look at a Beretta M85, SW 439/639/39 for DA, or a Colt .380 Government Model or PocketLite for a single action

[fatbaldguy]

After further discussion with the missus, It would appear that she wants the S&W Airweight.  She's the one gonna be carrying it after all.  If'n she don't like it, she wont carry it.  Better five and a reload, than 9 sitting at the house.The LGS does have HKS speedloaders for it.  She also wants, of all things, the pink Pachmayr grips.   Not such a bad thing, I really don't need another caliber to think about stocking up on.

I do still like the look of that Bersa, and the CZ.  So many guns, so little time, money, and spousal patience.

[Timothy]

After further discussion with the missus, It would appear that she wants the S&W Airweight.  She's the one gonna be carrying it after all.  If'n she don't like it, she wont carry it.  Better five and a reload, than 9 sitting at the house.The LGS does have HKS speedloaders for it.  She also wants, of all things, the pink Pachmayr grips.   Not such a bad thing, I really don't need another caliber to think about stocking up on.

I do still like the look of that Bersa, and the CZ.  So many guns, so little time, money, and spousal patience.

Airweight is a great little gun but have her try the Ruger LCR as well.  Out of the box, you can't beat the trigger on the Ruger!

[Sponsor]

[les snyder]

a SW442 is one of the cheapest of the airweights without going exotic, though she may like having an exposed hammer...the Ruger LCR is after my time...my 442 is loaded with 125g Federal NyClads and carry a reload in a Bianchi speed strip... its less bulky than a HKS

[fightingquaker13]

a SW442 is one of the cheapest of the airweights without going exotic, though she may like having an exposed hammer...the Ruger LCR is after my time...my 442 is loaded with 125g Federal NyClads and carry a reload in a Bianchi speed strip... its less bulky than a HKS

Cool thing about NOT  having one is that you can fire it out of a jacket pocket. Its DAO, but its an SD weapon, not a range toy.
FQ13

[MAUSERMAN]

Beretta 85 is slim and it holds 9rnds of .380acp. I carry one and the grips feels great and recoil is almost nonexistent.

[kmitch200]

After further discussion with the missus, It would appear that she wants the S&W Airweight.

Problem solved.
Like you said, she wants it.  She just wants the pink grips so you don't steal it!   

[fightingquaker13]

Like that would stop me. The airweights are great guns, and I'm secure in my masculinity. Besides, we do carry them concealed.
FQ13