I just got my girlfriend into shooting... She used to be terrified of guns, but after a couple trips to the range she did a complete 180... One of the guys at the range tried to convince me/her that she should rent a sig p229 her first time shooting a handgun... Saying that she could handle a 9mm and proceeded to hit on her right in front of me. I insisted on one of their ruger 22/45s to start but she bought into this assholes BS. Long story short the 9mm was way too much for her to start... And it turned her off initially. Then we did it my way and she had a much better time... She wasnt afraid of the recoil and could focus on her grip, sight picture and trigger control. That was 6 months ago... I bought her a Walther PPS 9mm which was a handful for her at first but she loves it now. She bought me a PPQ for my birthday too...