Things to Consider

As you likely already know, there are a lot of factors you need to consider before purchasing a firearm for concealed carry.

COMFORT/SIZE OF FIREARM
Comfort and the size of the gun are probably the most important aspects to consider when buying a concealed carry pistol.  A gun isn't going to do you any good if you don't have it on you.  You need to chose a gun and holster you can comfortably wear and easily conceal for long periods of time.  Regardless of the weapon you choose, you will likely need to make some adaptations to your wardrobe to accommodate the firearm, but the smaller the gun is, the easier this will be to do.  You also want something that fits your hands well.  People assume that a smaller gun will be better for women because their hands are smaller, but I happen to have long fingers and find the smaller concealed carry pistols a bit awkward to grip.

CALIBER
The caliber of the firearm is also an extremely important consideration.  You want something big enough to stop your attacker, but you still need a gun that is small enough to easily conceal, and that has manageable recoil.  Here are the most common calibers used for concealed carry:

.380 - Examples: Ruger LCP, Kahr P380, Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 380, Walther PK380
These guns are very small which makes them easy and comfortable to conceal.  However, many people would argue that a .380 doesn't have enough knock down power to reliably stop an attacker.  I have also read that because these guns are so small and lightweight, they are quite snappy.  Recoil is something you can learn to manage with practice, but if it is a big concern to you, you may want to go with a larger, heavier gun.

.38 Special/.357  - Examples: Smith and Wesson J-Frame Revolvers, Ruger LCR
These are revolvers that come in either .38 special or .357 mag.  I think most people will tell you that .38 special is an adequate round for concealed carry, but some may urge you to go with a .357.  If you get either gun in a .357 you can also shoot .38 special rounds with it.  It is usually about $50 more for the .357 but I think it is worth it for the added versatility.  In regards to recoil, I have heard some complaints (from men) that they are a bit snappy, but if you or someone you know reloads ammo, you can probably come up with a lighter load that is easier to shoot but still hot enough to stop an attacker.


9mm - Examples: Ruger LC9, Smith and Wesson M&P Compact 9mm, Kahr PM9, Kahr CM9, Kimber Solo Carry, Kel Tec Pf9

Although these guns are a bit larger than the .380s, I think they're a great option for concealed carry.  They have sufficient knock down power, along with pretty good recoil management.  From what I have read, most of these 9mms kick less than the .380's.  I think it is because they are a little heavier.  Their larger size also makes them easier to grip comfortably if you have medium to large hands.

You may wish to consider a small .45 acp, but from what I understand these will have some pretty serious recoil and be a bit larger than the 9mms.  I shoot a full size Colt 1911 and a Kimber Pro Eclipse II (4" barrel) at max loads with no problems, but I think going down to a 3" barrel adds a lot of recoil.  I haven't shot one, but based on what I have read most women would not feel comfortable with one.

REVOLVER OR SEMI AUTOMATIC
This is a big one for some people.  Here are the basic pros and cons of each.

Revolver
Pros: Easy to operate - just pull the trigger
Cons: Slower to reload, no safety mechanisms

Semi Automatic
Pros: Hold more rounds, faster to reload, most come with multiple safety features
Cons: A little more complicated to operate, some slides can be pretty hard for women to pull back, can have feeding issues (jam up)

Overall, it just depends on personal preference.  I think I'm going to get a semi auto because they are a little smaller, hold more bullets, and are faster to reload.  However, I do like the simplicity and reliability of a revolver.

COST
It will be helpful if you decide on a budget before looking for a gun, in order to narrow down your search.  You can get a good quality concealed carry pistol for $300 - $600, depending on what caliber you decide on.  Of course you can spend more on something a bit nicer if you want.