I was not aware of that particular Taurus until you brought it up. 7 rounds of mild recoiling 9mm sounds very interesting.
As to an LCR .22 ... I thought about that a lot , but I am very concerned about the "stopping power" based on many credible seemingly sources.
---
Six .22LR in rapid succession in the right spot is not something any sane person wants to deal with. However, I'm not sure your wife can be guaranteed she will be dealing with A) a sane person or that she will B) have the opportunity to deliver six rounds to "the right spot." My wife used to carry an NAA Mini revolver in .22WMRF in her pocketbook. When she had to walk past a bad area near our condo she took it out of the pocketbook and carried it in her hand. It is so small and unobtrusive, it is doubtful anyone saw it or if it registered as a firearm. Do I recommend that? No. Did I think it was a good idea at the time? Not really but she had confidence in her ability to defend herself that way so, I prayed and trusted in her instincts. Do I recommend a .22 of any kind for your wife. No. Not at all.
It sounds to me like a .32S&W Long loaded to the maximum of that cartridge's abilities, or better yet a .32H&R Magnum in a factory loading, would be the minimum (the old Colt's New Police load or the new Buffalo Bore defense loads as examples). A Colt Pocket Positive chambered in “.32 Police” can be easily carried and easily concealed but, now you're talking about a very expensive and possibly 70-100 year old piece of hardware - yes, they were well-made and well-built but 100 years is a LONG TIME for a small revolver to be around. There are newer revolvers for that load.
John Taffin wrote a sensible and typically well-thought-out article some years back on the Long/NP as a defensive load in the Pocket and Police frame Colts, as well as the I and J frame Smiths.
https://americanhandgunner.com/handloading/the-32-sw-long-32-colt-new-police/
That's also why I asked about handloading: the Lyman #44 Reloading Manual lists a 115-gr. WFN bullet over a maximum of 3.5 grs. of Unique for over 800fps. In a Smith & Wesson 1905 Hand Ejector (K-frame) or Colt Police Positive, that's a good defensive load; however, in the smaller I-frame or a Pocket Positive, I would have concerns about feeding a steady diet of that load. A Taurus or Charter Arms .32H&R Magnum will handle that steady diet easily.
So why did I bring up older guns to begin with? Cost and practice. I'd like you both to consider the option of buying more than one handgun: an inexpensive older gun for target practice which is also practical to carry if need's be, and a newer revolver in a compatible caliber for regular carry and full-load practice on occasion. Nothing builds confidence like hitting the target. A lot. And often. Practicing with a light(er) but still capable load will - in my humble opinion - build that confidence. And, those older guns are just really works of art compared to the modern, mass-produced, budget carry pieces out there.
