Sometimes, the "scrimp and save" plan to get a pistol that costs more just isn't in the cards, or may take more time than is feasible. Some folks like to phrase it as "What is your life worth?," when a better question might be "Is your life worth defending today, or do you want to wait a year?" (Wanna guess how I know?)
There are lots of options available in that price range, particularly if you can help her search for a used pistol. Personally, I don't mind buying used, if it's a pistol that I know enough about that I can (with some degree of certainty) assess it's condition.