I'd think mainly about the Ruger .380, keeping in mind the recoil from a blowback gun that size.
I want a Beretta .25, partly because the ammo feeds better than a .22, and the cartridge is better sealed. The .25 ammo costs more, but what value is your life? The .22 rimfire just doesn't feed as reliably. This is partly a matter of the rimmed cases and partly an issue of quality standards. These aren't intended as plinking guns, anyway.
There are similar guns to the little Ruger, but I prefer to avoid "off brands". Now that they seem to have the bugs out, I think the Ruger is probably the best deal in a tiny auto.
Be aware that if you have beefy hands, the recoiling slide may cut you. And I (although I don't have heavy hands) recall being singed a little by a Bernadelli .25 that my father used to own. The gas escaping at the chamber was noticeable. Unburned powder particles may have contributed to what hit my trigger finger.
I'd avoid the Beretta .32 Tomcat. On the Beretta board, many with cracked frames have been mentioned.
T-Star
