That was until she tried a Browning Hi Power which is really just a 1911 in 9mm.
No...it is not. The only similarities are that they are single action, short recoil operated, and originally Browning designs, though the BHP was finalized by Frenchman Dieudonné Saive. I really hate when people say this. They look similar externally but are completely different designs. I know you know this.
Back to the regularly scheduled programming.
The wife's first choice in guns was a Taurus PT-111. I forbade it. Her next choice was a BHP .40. It's hard as heck to rack, but she's a physically strong woman and has no problem with it. She also wants a PPK/S. Nothing wrong with that.
She'll be getting a Shield 9mm herself, which I'd much prefer over any Taurus offering.
Nothing against Taurus in general, but I'm not a price point shopper and I'll be damned if she does so. That's been my only intervention in her gun shopping and I don't regret it one bit.
She's tried my Airweight as I love it, but like most, she had zero interest in it beyond firing a few shots.
She's a big girl, and she can make her own choices...as long as it's not a Taurus (or insert other cheap brand) I'm okay with it.
The LC9 and Glock 43 are good choices for those with smaller hands, and they're both a bit lighter. It's mostly preference among them. The Shield is the smoother shooting for most.
Another mentioned the "slow rack" a lot of women do. Some just won't grab it and rack it like they mean it. It should be a swift motion, not slow and deliberate. I've seen a few ladies feign the no rack situation when it comes to a gun they don't like that a husband or boyfriend is pushing them towards, as well.