If you'd even consider that question, I think you have an answer to the topic question. The .32 H&R magnum rises to "okay" for self defense and the .327 reaches "great" up until you hit your personal limit for diminishing returns on recoil. As I said previously, the 85-grain Hydra-Shoks in .327 offer a nice balance that I think most people can handle.
I would consider such, and believe I eluded to such. (Thought the numbers that I posted don't show it.)
My answer is that I'd prefer a 700 fps .32 S&W Long wadcutter over a 40 gr RN/HP at 1,100 fps.
I still don't think 85 gr HydraShoks are the answer. My problem with .327 Federal is more about the muzzle blast and report, than recoil.
I have suffered instantaneous, permanent hearing damage from people shooting .357 Mag when I had no hearing protection, at least three different times (in open spaces, not confined spaces!). Though I consider .327 Federal's muzzle blast to be 'better' than .357 Mag, it is still substantial and offensive. For sensitive shooters, it would make them hesitant to shoot the thing. But the report is the same, if not worse (due to the 9k psi higher chamber pressure). Firing .327 Federal without hearing protection - especially if in an enclosed space - is going to be instantly damaging. Why set someone up for the worst case scenario, when there are cartridges out there that will result in less hearing damage?
But, as per experience with recoil... I can tell you unequivocally that my wife won't shoot full power .327 Federal from ANYTHING - not even the boat-anchor 5.5" Blackhawk, or the GP100. It nearly took an act of God to get her to shoot .32 H&R in the SP101. I have
never been able to get her to shoot the LCR; not even with 480 fps 'pop gun' loads. Her problem is mostly the recoil. But the muzzle blast from higher pressure loads is also a factor.
In my opinion, if VADER's daughter is recoil or muzzle blast sensitive, at all, full power loads in a .327 LCR are not going to work well.
That LCR will be back at the LGS to get traded in, almost as quickly as if VADER got stuck in their revolving door.