I'd buy the Ruger SP101 in .327 fed mag but provide her with .32 S&W long. A site called Genitron [http://www.genitron.com/HandgunDB/DB-Stats-Ranks.asp] will compare recoil and power for you. A 38 =P is 3.89 lb/ft recoil and 123K power compared to a .357 mag's 13.95 recoil and 192K power.