This issue has come up many times. I would not shoot +P in older aluminum framed guns as in my 37 but I would try a few in my 36 all steel framed gun. I carry the 37 always and carry standard pressure ammunition in that gun. If you go on You Tube there are many testings for standard loadings in 38 special. I use either Hornady Critical Defense 110 FTX or Hornady 158 xtp and have carried Remington 110 sjhp also. The 158's penetrate very well and I have to say, I do deepen the hp a bit on these rounds. I just want the tip to expand or peel back somewhat, then penetrate with the heavy bullet weight behind it. The critical defense ftx bullets work very well my only concern is enough penetration. Most accurate in my gun is the Remington 110 SJHP.