I have a S&W Bodyguard 380. It's ok for a pocket pistol but it's not a 45/40/357. First of all you only have 6 +1 in the chamber and you will want to empty it becuase it does not have the stopping power that the larger guns do. Some gun blogs call them mouse guns and forbid even posting anything about them. I wouldn't consider anything less that a 40 cal. You should get something 40 cal or above with extra mags and pratice with it, and take your wife and the 380 with you to the range to practice, and after she gets used to the 380 move her up a shot or two at the time to the larger handguns. If you have a home invasion or try to protect yourself out in the real world, you need something that gets the job done.