I'm going back and forth on which SD ammo to use in my old 37 Airweight and my newer 442-2. Don't want to load +p in either, but love the Airweights. i have a bunch of 147 xtp, 110 federal hydro, and some others. I'm leaning to the 147 'cause i like heavier projectiles. i have some 130 +p pdx-1 but its hot as heck, and hard to put follow ups downrange quickly and accurately. i have the 135 speer gd too, but love the hornady stuff as thats what i have the most rounds down range personal and professional. thoughts?

Use the ammo that you can shoot most accurately with. In a self defense situation shooting well and making hits wins the day. Missing gets you killed.
My grandfather once told me " boy it's not what you shoot them with it's where you place the bullet" this was after taking a wild hog with a single shot 22 rifle. I watched him do this many times, he placed one carefully aimed shot into the ear hole so the bullet ranged into the brain.
Carry the ammo you can hit with. I carry 148 gr. target wadcutters, why? Because I shoot them best.
Gary

Only hits count!!!!
There are no magic boolits

I recently bought some standard pressure .38 Special Monarch 158 grain JHP (PPU headstamps) at Academy. I'm not certain they will expand, but they are accurate and shoot to point of aim in my S&W Model 37. If they don't expand they are no worse than a 158 grain SWC. They were also only $17.99 for a box of 50 which is about the cheapest new manufacture .38 Special I've found.

__________________
CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

As others have stated, shot placement trumps all else. But, as a side note, the FBI went to a .38 147 grain Plus P Plus round in the 90's I believe and it had " spotty ", performance. Carry what your most accurate with friend.

I like the 158gr XTP's. HPR's ammo with the same projectile is another favorite. Me and the gun shoot them best.

I like to stick with the heavies in all calibers. They just seem to shoot smoother.

Buffalo Bore makes some nice standard pressure loads. The full wadcutter should be good.

after a little more trigger time, i'm going with the 158 gr. hornady xtp. seems to be the best for me and my set up. as stated, practice is the best way to learn and to stay sharp...