Buy what you want but I think a large caliber revolver is a very poor choice for home defense. Too much penetration. Too much noise made in cocking if a single action. No way I want a perp to know I'm drawing down on him. Not enough rounds. Not as easy to make safe and still handy with little kids around. Before they have the hand strength to cycle the slide a semi auto is safe with no round in the chamber (does eliminate the silence advantage though if you have to rack it). Semi in 9mm, and maybe 10mm, can probably be used effectively by your wife/GF. Less likely to be so with the bigger revolvers. Lots of tactical options with over the counter semi's not available with revolvers (lights, lazer sights, reddots).

My take is that you need 2 new guns. That's not so bad is it?

Since you threw the self defense and bear defense in the mix that pushes the advantage to a 4" barreled Redhawk, you have quicker follow up shots and with 44 special loads for defense you will have very little recoil in that heavy of a revolver. Are there better choices out there for defense, sure but that is not what you asked about and a Redhawk loaded with 44 special loads will be a formidable firearm in a home defense situation.

I prefer a Redhawk, they fit my hand better and are much more comfortable to shoot. Also like the way the cylinder flops out to load and unload. In my experience they tend to be more accurate also, but that could be because they fit me better. A friend has a Super Redhawk in 454 Casull that I really liked, I could shoot a paper plate at 100 yards every time with it, with iron sights. I borrowed it and shot a deer with it at about 75 yards. Really thought about buying one like it, but the dang thing is as heavy as a rifle and I knew it would be a novelty I used for a few months and then I would just carry a rifle while it sat at the house.
The gun I pack is a Taurus Ultra Lite 44 magnum. Super light and easy to pack, surprisingly accurate with a 4 inch barrel (2-3 inch groups at 25 yards off of sandbags) and it fits my hands perfectly with the rubber grips and is not unpleasant to shoot. I tried a Smith and Wesson Ultralite a friend owns basically identical to the Taurus except with wooden grips... three shots and I handed it back and never wanted to shoot it again. That thing hurt! The grips and how they fit your hand are more important in magnum pistols than most people give them credit for.

Whatever you choose, I would not get a ported model. The noise is incredible and not worth the limited reduction in recoil or muzzle flip. IMHO

That’s what I call prepared

I have owned the .44 Blackhawk and then traded for the .44 Redhawk and eventually traded for the .44 Super Redhawk which I chose for the ability to mount optics. I still own it and have shot several deer with it. I prefer the double actions but like the looks of the Blackhawks since they resemble the old west sidearms. I also had the Colt Anaconda in .44 Mag but sold it along with a big Winchester collection that I got rid of 11 years ago.

I have the super Blackhawk in 41 mag and love it. Single action but it's a hunting gun.. I had wanted one since childhood and very glad I found one.

Those are pretty impressive. I shot one a while back while out shooting it’s predecessor my 629 mountain gun. Were I to “upgrade” this one would be top of my list. I like my wheel guns.

Osky

I still have the S&W 29-2 and the Super Redhawk but regretfully sold the Anaconda about 11 years ago.