Go with a 4-inch Ruger or Smith. The 4-inch is the perfect balance between the 2.5-inch and the 6-inch, both in pointability and weight. A 6-inch gun is a great outdoor gun, and good for hunting and can certainly be used for defense; however, a 4-inch has better pointability, which makes it better for close-in use. The 2.5-inch guns combine great pointability with concealability, but muzzleblast and loss of velocity (while not that great) are drawbacks.
Another horrible downside of modern 6-inch .357s is the underlug. For outdoor use this just adds needless weight and makes picking up on moving targets that much more difficult. S&W makes 686s without the underlug, but good luck on finding one!
Years ago I saw an amazing magazine article about a tall gorgeous blonde who captured a would-be rapist in her apartment and held him for police. The magazine cover featured her with her 6-inch stainless Ruger Security-Six partially hidden behind a darkened door. Not only did she catch the SOB (who had a long criminal record), she made him call the police and give them the address! Inside were more photos, and I kept it for years. (The Security-Six in many ways was the best .357 ever made, in my opinion. In a 6-inch configuration it had an almost perfect size and weight. The last thing it needed was an underlug or a vent!)
Ruger and S&W are still the only games in town when buying revolvers. I have a 6-inch 686 that's a real beauty, but the underlug makes it a less-than-ideal defensive gun for the home -- it's just too heavy, especially for a woman. The 4-incher also is a tad hefty, but is certainly managable; the 681 is also sweet. For years I considered the S&W 13 to be the "perfect" home revolver. It was inexpensive, exceptionally well made, powerful and endearing. If S&W still made it, I would still recommend it.
Taurus may be an okay gun, but I'd pay extra for a Ruger. Of all the Tauruses I've owned, I've never kept any of them. Rugers are strong and S&Ws are reliable and accurate. Just saying....
