I really think you need to get both these guns in your wife's hands before you purchase one. Grip size, sights, and trigger angle will lead her to the correct gun for her.
Good advice, of course. If you revisit my opening remarks, you'll see that how my wife likes the revolver in terms of how it
handles for her and which da trigger pull
she prefers are things we were prioritizing.
If you're thinking of buying a small revolver in .357 for your or your wife you might re-think that.
The recoil and muzzle blast is literally stunning.
I don't plan on loading a relatively light-weight revolver chambered for .357 Magnum intended for self-defense with Magnum loads; not for me and certainly not for my wife. I will be considering loading the gun with .38 Special +P loads, with 125 grain jhp bullets. We'll try them first and then decide whether even lighter recoiling rounds are preferable, especially when quick, repeat shots are likely.
I have nothing against handguns chambered for .38 Special, especially when shooting paper. I am a long time Bullseye shooter and, at last count, have seven .38 Special handguns in my battery. But when buying a new revolver, I prefer opting for one chambered in .357 Magnum over one chambered in .38 Special due to the added versatility the Magnum offers. The biggest potential downside to a Magnum over a .38 Special is cost. I'm willing to pay the difference, if there is any, to get the extra power; whether I need it; use it-or not.
So, a decision was made today. My wife and I spent an hour or so while she handled the King Cobra and the Kimber equivalent. I stayed out of the comparison as much as possible while she gripped the guns and squeezed their triggers. It may be due to a particular specimen of each (these things can vary from time to time even when comparing identical models) but she much preferred the Colt. I, too, thought the Kimber had a good trigger pull but I think the da trigger pull on the Colt was noticeably lighter and smoother.
The King Cobra we bought has an exposed hammer spur, the bright s/s finish and a 3" long barrel (the length I prefer in a revolver intended for self-defense when higher velocity ammunition is being used).
I thank everyone for their insightful and informed inputs.