The rental ranges are probably a good idea, as a new shooter you'll get more out of your purchase, feel more confident in it, having bought something you've shot and compared to others.
I have six Glocks, no safety problems in 15 or more years. I think I saw them like you did, as unsafe for carry, when I first got one too, but that changed pretty quick when every cop started carrying them in the '90's. I'm wearing my G27 now in fact. They really need to be kept in a good fitting holster when the chamber is hot. It may look unsafe on the outside, and fondling one loaded in absence of the holster isn't a good idea at all, but I've safely been carrying a loaded one in public for years. I trust mine as much as I trust a revolver to be honest, I've seen them fail too. Rare in both though. With a Glock, you have to pull the trigger, plain and simple, to make it fire. If I were to recommend a 9mm pistol to you for HD and carry and range --an all around good starter 9mm-- it would be the G19 and a good fitting belt holster, say a Blackhawk Serpa level 2. For IWB carry, I'd say a Milt Sparks VM2, they work really well for me. Without a proper holster though, a loaded Glock laying around is kind of an accident waiting to happen.
As for a 3" .357, man I say go for it. You'll still want a holster, especially if you carry, but I don't feel it requisite the way I do with Glocks (I pocket carry a 340PD from time to time). If you like the revolver and you learn to master the reloading (moon clips are REAL nice if you plan on really going revolver all out in my opinion) then it is an awesome weapon. Look up Jerry Miculek and all he does. He says he can do his reloads like this on a bad day, tired, no sleep, no practice, just jump out of the car do a competition like you see him do, and leave.
In addition to this, my wife would highly agree with your decision to use this with your wife --she is a big proponent of the revolver over the Glock too. She carries a no lock 649, but she loves my 6" 686+ no lock. If you can find an older one of those with a 3" bbl, that would be great, but the new ones are just as nice I bet. I'd have preferred her to have that myself, it really is a very fine revolver, but the 649 is a better carry choice due to the shrouded hammer and size --for her. If you get the 3" as a starter and then get your wife to carry that, to master it and carry it, she'll be one tough lady.
If you don't plan on carrying it, I'd get a longer barrel. That 6" 686+ for HD, yeah, that would work. It'll also be real accurate and capable of some really cool shots (I've shot mine to 300m!). If you want to carry it, the 3" is ideal, just great. Get the 7 shot cylinder though no matter what.
Lots of choices. Smith makes a ton of revolvers, something for everyone. So outside of the six Glocks I have, I have four Smith revolvers, the 686 and 3 J frames, all .357 save one .22 317; the Glocks and Smiths constitute the bulk of my pistols. Oh, and a Smith 1006 10mm auto. Which brings me to this: those 5906 and similar third generation Smith and Wesson pistols are selling for good prices now, they'll go up later. They are VERY well made pistols, they quit making them to compete with Glock. It is DA/SA similar to a Beretta, so you may feel safer with that if the Glock just doesn't float your boat, and there is no better $300 or less all stainless American made 9mm pistol. They are highly under rated pistols, get 'em while the gettin' is good. They came in about as many flavors as they have revolvers now too, so again, something for everybody.
Good luck to you and your wife.
I watched hickok45's review on the Taurus 94. Even he says the trigger's heavy. I'm certain that's the gummed-up hunk of metal we each had to get 70 rounds through in our CCW training. I'm hoping some 148-grain .38 wadcutters will get her over the recoil hump.
