Since there are quite a few variables, maybe explaining the situation your character is in when needing to use these weapons may help? Also, whether your character is law enforcement or military, or just a civilian who has a working knowledge of guns? That will determine what she’d have access to. Example: if she’s the latter, you may want to avoid anything too sophisticated since the likelihood of her being around high-end weapons would be a stretch. Also, if she’s going to be involved in a firefight of some kind, you’ll need to consider a revolver or semi-automatic. The revolver is preferable in some cases – as Tom said - and doesn’t require a safety, it also doesn’t hold a lot of rounds, and requires a speed-loader, versus a clip, when reloading. That can make for tense times when you’re being shot at. Also, suppressors are illegal - yep, even here in the USA - and would not be the norm on a thrown away gun.
Good luck with your book! That’s exciting – and unnerving. It takes guts to put that out there, and unless you’ve got balls the size of Brazil, and arrogance to match, most authors are apprehensive and insecure. This board has always encouraged new writers and helped whenever possible with questions and answers. Keep ‘em coming…and keep on writing!
~kamy…