Wow.... they don't have any bank robberies in Md , either I'll bet! <LOL>
I have the itty bitty S&W .38+ Airweight. My only complaint is that it's so light it has way more recoil than my .45 Gold Cup. Not actually comparing apples and bananas, am I?
The one that really kicks is the Benelli .12 ga...
I did take the CCW course last Sat, but they are so far behind it may be 6 mos before I actually get my permit...
Oh make sure you wife gets lessons at the very least if she doesn't know how to shoot... Explaining WHY you don't want to look at the target is the hardest part. The two cops that taught the CCW course did a great job explaining. They simply said that you couldn't look at three things at the same time, just line up the front and rear sights. Pretty cool guys, no "I am super cop God" attitude.
I also learned that I can't see the front sight with or without my bifocals...

( ... next time I'll wear my puter reading glasses....
Mary