The absolute best way to find the right gun for your ladies is to take them to your local gun shop that rents multiple guns and have them try several.
I have a lady friend who thought she wanted a Sig p238 because it felt good in her hand at gun show. But after shooting one, she didn't like the snap and had a hard time hitting the target. She tried several and finally found what would work for her an HK 9mm. So my best advise is go to gun shop a, shoot several and find what fits the individual.

My wife carries the Smith Airweight 642 in 38 special + P. She has had the gun for almost a year and it fits her hand & her purse great (her comments). As far as a 9mm I recommend the Smith & Wesson M&P Sheild, it's a great shooting, very little recoil 9mm. My wife likes carrying it also. Not an expert, just a little personal experience, I hope this help you.

I also forgot to mention that the H&K USP compact is designed to reduce recoil (and has less felt recoil.) I do have that in 9mm and I can't sing its praises enough. The slide is super easy to use. It always loads the bullet into the chamber and it has never failed or had a jam.

The S&W 351C in 22 magnum is a hammerless small frame revolver that will not recoil and is nearly on a par with the .380. Use Hornady Critical Defense rounds and it should work nicely for a shooter with small hands and is recoil shy.

The best handgun for a woman depends on the comfort of each individual woman as well as her desired purpose for using the gun. (Isn't this is the same for determining the best handgun for a man!) For comfort and ease of use, we must remember that not everyone is the same. For example, hand sizes among women can vary significantly. The best gun is the one that fits that individual's hands and that feels the most comfortable to her. For concealed carry, my favorite handgun is a USP Compact, but I also like a Glock 19. I have only been shooting for about a year, but I find these 2 handguns to be practical, accurate, and easy to use. They can be carried on the body or even in a small purse. Individual comfort results in an ease of learning and the ability to become confident and competent!

Wade is right on and knows his stuff. Only thing I can add is check with the girls on color first, my wife would die before carrying a pink gun! Charter Arms 13811 is a 38sp and a steal on Buds at under $330!

My wife loves shooting the Ruger LCR .357, loaded with .38 spl. My sister had the smaller framed .380 as her "introductory" pistols and they really turned her off of shooting. It is not often taken into consideration that just because something is a .380, that the smaller frame is going to have some snap and not be pleasant for a new shooter. It's good that you recognize that. With that being said, I let my sister shoot my CZ75, a full size, heavy 9mm, and she was a dead eye with it. It completely changed her perception of shooting. where the smaller framed .380's were being marketed to women for shooting they really weren't effective to make women comfortable shooting (in my experiences). The heavier frame of the CZ absorbed far more recoil from a larger caliber than the lcp .380 did and was night and day difference in experience. Turns out now she is an NRA pistol, rifle and shotgun instructor. Had she never fired the larger frame pistol it may never have happened. I am a fan of starting new shooters with a .22. It familiarizes them with the platform and shooting a handgun and then a 9mm is the next step I go to when training people. Usually on a full size frame. When it comes to new shooters, it's not just what is comfortable in your hand, but what is comfortable while you are firing it. Definitely recommend taking them to a gun range that rents some handguns and letting them get a feel for a few. I hope you find something that fits them well. Happy shooting!

I highly recommend the LC380 (not the LCP). My wife has found that the bigger the body and, the smaller the caliber, the easier it is for her to enjoy shooting. Small body guns hurt her. More real estate makes it easier for her to grip. She LOVES the $125 HP25 too! That's a 10rd .25ACP available here at Buds. Good luck!

Your best bet would be a smith hammerless model 38 or a ladysmith model. They are both reasonable priced and work great. They are also both hammerless. They are also easy to carry and are very light. The smith airweight or model 642 smith would be good as well. As for a revolver in 9mm your best bet would be to check smith, Taurus and I know for sure charter arms makes a revolver in 9mm, and 32 H&H and they both would be great. The 32 has very minimal kick. Hope this helps.