A steel frame .357 loaded with light .38 Spcl loads. (Think: S&W 66, Ruger GP100 or SP101, etc.) The weight of the gun helps negate recoil, and lightly loaded .38 Specials don't produce much recoil to begin with. My mom started shooting in her 70's and had zero hand strength. An automatic of any flavor was not an option for her. My daughters at the time were small and not into recoil. I let them shoot .22's until they said they wanted something bigger. The kids each decided on SP101's. Mom opted for a 3" GP 100. Nobody ever griped about recoil.

Here's my mom and my eldest probably 10-12 years ago:
[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

Wade

"Let's Roll!" - Todd Beamer 9/11/01.