There is a test out there with the 125 38+P gold dot from a 1 7/8" barrel (LCR 38).

Pocket Guns and Gear: Speer Gold Dot 38 Special +P 125 Grain GDHP Terminal Test

The bullet achieves 900 fps and expands nicely to .55" and penetrates 12".

Surprisingly, at least this one test shows the 125 Gold Dot 38+P is just as good a short barrel round as the 135 everyone talks about.

I wonder what velocity the standard pressure 125 gold dot achieves.

Perhaps 800 fps or so????

Will it expand? Don't know and can't find any gel tests or even chrono data for short barrels.

The general consensus on this thread seems to be the standard pressure load is pretty useless, but I'd like to see someone test it.

The 110 gr standard pressure Critical Defense is probably better and there is lots of test data available.

The standard pressure 125 gr buffalo bore 38 special load achieves 921 fps from a 2" barrel so it probably would be a good choice if you want a JHP a bit heavier than 110 gr.