I'll start by saying that even though I own several pistols, I am not a pistol guy. Those of you that are know what I mean. My sister is wanting a pistol. She likes my Browning BDA .380 but the grip is a little big for her. She wants something that style. I looked at the Walther PPKs and thought this is it. Then did some research and it seems that they are not that well thought of these days. She is not a fan of the blocky polymer autos; just doesn't like the look. Got to remember we're dealing with a female type here. What fits her wants and is good quality? Thanks
We have some building blocks here. She likes the Browning BDA .380; damn fine little pistol. The BDA is made by Beretta and is a slightly modified version of the Beretta model 84. Both the BDA and the 84 are high capacity pistols, which makes for a fat little grip; would be cool if there was a single column version with a thinner grip, wouldn�t it? Well there is� The Beretta model 85:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=255392172 You didn�t mention a price range so I�ll assume you�re willing to pay what you need to pay for a good gun. The Beretta 85 is a great little pistol, very reliable, accurate, compact, light weight.
If price is a big concern, then consider the Bersa:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=256919450 The Bersa is a very low priced pistol with very good quality; they are HIGHLY regarded. You can typically find them for under $350.00 and that�s a LOT of gun for that little money.
Unfortunately, you didn�t give us much more to go on for needs, so I have stuck to what little you have given us to go on. If you could tell us your price range, size requirements, weight, her shooting level, her body type & hand size, and a little more about the level of threat you perceive; we might be able to offer more. Still, with either of the two above listed pistols, she will be fairly well armed.
When my daughter is of age, she will be packing her Astra A-70. It�s a compact 9mm that�s all steel (so it�s heavy), but that extra weight makes this 9mm shoot softer than comparably sized .380�s. The A-70 is a straight up awesome little pistol that just never achieved any sort of popularity.
http://shootersjournal.net/the-astra-a-70-quite-possibly-the-best-defense-pistol-for-a-woman/ Lastly in the 9mm realm, there�s the S&W 3913, quite possibly the greatest 9mm S&W has ever made:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=256098941