“...I wish I could get my wife interested in shooting...”
My wife even objects to our Sig 380 biting the web of her hand. She prefers a 1926-produced Colt 32 hammerless.
Of course the ole saw is that a hit with a 22 short is better than a miss with a 44 magnum. Nowadays there are lots of attractive 22 cal light defensive handguns.
My wife likes shooting the 44 magnum Anaconda but in reality the handloads being fired are closer to 44 Special velocity.
I have a Ruger Blackhawk in .44 Magnum, maybe I can get her worked up to it.