If your friend doesnt wana put alot of money into a ccw ( less that four or five hundred) there are a few good options in my opinion. i own a taurus pt140 that i carry about everywhere i go....the only draw back as far as i am concerned to a taurus is the breakdown...get one for around 350, subcompact, in 9mm or a 40 ( all i own are 40's)...my hands arent that large and it fits perfectly. im also a big fan of the s&w sigma. ive owned 3, currently 2 40's, got rid of the 9mm. its honestly my favorite handgun that i own. handguns are def all about personal preference. ive owned xd's, rugers, smiths, wathers, taurus', brownings, sigs.....and the only "high dollar" gun that i still own is the walther p99. ill stick with it and my 40ve's from now on...you dont always get more for the money.