Some of the best sd rounds are the LSWC-HP. The .38 Special +P 158 grain LSWCHP is held in high regard by many; I carried it as a duty load when I was a suburban Chicago police officer. I currently carry the Fed .45 Colt 225 grain LSWCHP, and I think its all that I need in a sd load.
I have carried solid SWC rounds, but those few times were when I was in Alaska in areas where bears might be present and a long gun was not practical, i.e., salmon fishing.
Overall, SWC's are better than LRN, but you can do better and have the best of both worlds in a LSWCHP.