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Welcome PI Mom, what part of Central Texas?

S&W 642 is a great gun. Can be a bit difficult to shoot, but not unlearnable. Just takes some practice. I own a similar Airweight S&W J-frame revolver and couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it until I hunkered down and just put round upon round down range with it, worked on grip (I use a different grip for this small revolver than for my larger semi-auto guns) and I'm now very comfortable being able to shoot it accurately under pressure.

I highly recommend Mika's pocket holsters if you plan to pocket carry http://www.frontiernet.net/~akim/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Best pocket holster I've found and especially good for small revolvers

Of course, if you're planning to mainly carry this gun on your belt or in a handbag you might prefer the heavier snubnose revolvers that some of the other members have mentioned - S&W 60, 649 etc. The heavier weight of these all-steel guns will make them a bit easier to shoot (and many of them also have the ability to fire the much more lethal .357 Magnum cartridge). I have an older 1960s vintage all-steel J-frame revolver and it is more pleasant to shoot than the Airweights (but part of this is also because it has a smoother (IMHO) old-style S&W firing system. The steel guns can also be pocket carried, but not quite as easily or comfortably as the lighter aluminum Airweight guns.

Lots of great choices out there. But you can't go wrong with a J-frame Smith & Wesson.