Have heard that this 9 MM is as good as the Berettas the Army went with.  (I preferred by old .45 but thats not my question or comment.)  Does anyone feel that someone with smaller hands would be better off with a different 9mm ?  (Thinking about this firearm mostly for my wife.- I don't know if she will take to my Springfield .45 much.)

I have small hands.  The Beretta/Taurus 9`s are a little thick for me.  Putting thin Houge grips on my Taurus helped a bit.  The Browning HP & some of the CZ pistols fit small hands better.  

Thanks for the replies.  Pardon my ignorance, but would the Browning HP be a 1911 style like my Springfield mil spec .45 which I absolutely and unconditionally love ?

Quoted: Thanks for the replies.  Pardon my ignorance, but would the Browning HP be a 1911 style like my Springfield mil spec .45 which I absolutely and unconditionally love ?

It is a single action, like your 1911, however the trigger is not the same and there is a lot of takeup, and a gritty, heavy pull due to the magazine safety installed.  My FN HP had a very good trigger after I removed the mag safety, but still a lot of takeup.  They are fine pistols, nonetheless, and I love the feel of my FN.

Brief history is here:
world.guns.ru/handguns/hg17-e.htm

CDNN Investments selling FN made HPs here, only $400!(must download the catalog):
www.cdnninvestments.com/

Here is what the FN/Browning models look like(FN has different grips):
world.guns.ru/handguns/browning_hp_2.jpg

Enjoy!