Noted and similar to some of my thoughts.
I’m also thinking a semi-auto would be easier for wife to use, tho’ she’s very petite: It might knock her down...
Buy the wife a Circuit Judge ,410. Plenty of power to disable a bad guy. Easy to operate. Just pull the trigger for 5 shots, revolver action. Light weight. Have shot it many times one handed. I carry the SS model on the golf cart I use around this place for varmint control.