Go look at a Walther CCP. This is the easiest gun on the market for a women or someone with weaker hands and wrist to use. Very easy to rack slide and it has a new patented gas system that reroutes excess gas to reduce muzzle flip and recoil. Plus very accurate.

The only one my wife could rack easily is the sig P238. She sold her ruger LCR right after getting the sig. I liked her P238 so much i got a P938 for myself.

I vote for a Bersa thunder. just right for a smaller hand.

S&W Shield 9mm $389

The Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ was developed for your exact need. Also, have her grab the slide by pressing bottom of palm against one side of slide and wrapping fingers over the top (behind ejection port to avoid pinching) to grip other side, then use other hand to push forward on the back of the frame while holding it like you would when firing. This is the easiest way I have found, since it seems much easier for weaker hands to push on the bigger frame rather than trying to pull on smaller slide.

Another vote for Sig P238. Or P938 if she wants 9mm, very slightly larger. The wife prefers P238 mostly because it's "prettier" -- got the engraved pearl pink.

If your too frail to work the slide on a 9mm you don't need a gun. I doubt its lack of strength that keeps them from operating the gun its unfamiliarity and uncertainty. Practice makes perfect.

Both of these are good options. My wife shoots my 9mm shield all the time.

How often is she going to need to rack the slide. If she has to use it for self defense she would only need to work it if she had a jam or malfunction.

need quick draw skills practice as well

It says here in Title 2, Chapter 17, Subchapter B, Section 17.08(2)(F)(3) of Murphy's Law that a firearm is REQUIRED to jam or malfunction during a self defense situation at least once during one's lifetime.

LCR is the way to go

Lol

Bond Arms Derringer loaded with PDX defense rounds.

I�m getting a Snake Slayer once the move is done.