RE: .357 magnum
 

In most states auto-loaders are illegal for hunting. I also would recommend the GP100. For home defense and practice you can load 38's for in the field I like the Federal 180 gr magnum loads. Being for your wife I would suggest getting her to the gunshop and let her handle different models, I would also suggest a different grip to compensate for smaller hands. I would also consider a 44 magnum and use 44 special for home defense and magnum loads in the field.

RE: .357 magnum
 

just remember with the revolver you only have 6 shots.the most versitle gun is a auto that has very few probs and is easy to fix in the field.for that i would go with a glock 22,40 cal. the 45 is a little too much kick for a lady.the 40 will give you a total of 11 shots/ one in the chamber and 10 in the magazine.i have now fired several thousand rounds thru my glock and never had any probs. very easy to clean also

RE: .357 magnum
 

Like all guns you can get good or bad within the same model. I picked up a Tarus 6" 696 for cheap and it wound up being the most accurate 357 I've ever had. I pack it hunting and use it for home defense. Sometimes you just get lucky.