FWIW, I have owned a few guns and carried some of them and IMHO the smaller and harder to use a gun is the more it's use should be left to the experts. Could I have done serious damage to an opponent with the Astra Cub in .22 Short that I once carried? Yep. Would I like something bigger and easier to use? Yep, but sometimes you need a special tool for a special purpose.
That given, your friend's best choice would be a 3-5" barrel .38 or .357, six- shot DA/SA revolver; if size is important and the smaller the better, he should go with a 3" barrel. Forget the concealed hammer; being able to see (and cock) the hammer is an important part of gun safety for a beginner. He should stick to .38 until he becomes familiar with the gun, then work into .357.
Jim
That given, your friend's best choice would be a 3-5" barrel .38 or .357, six- shot DA/SA revolver; if size is important and the smaller the better, he should go with a 3" barrel. Forget the concealed hammer; being able to see (and cock) the hammer is an important part of gun safety for a beginner. He should stick to .38 until he becomes familiar with the gun, then work into .357.
Jim