Check out the Speer/CCI Short-Barrel Ammo.
Very interesting and easy read (& compares the round to 9mm +P JHP):
http://le.atk.com/pdf/SpeerTech38_135HP.pdf
"The purpose of this product is to provide ammunition specifically
designed for “Snub Nosed” revolvers carried for Law Enforcement
back-up use. Previous 38 Special ammunition was designed for
four or six inch barreled revolvers that generate higher velocities
corresponding to barrel length. These higher velocities facilitated
easier opening of hollow point bullets. If the same ammunition is
fired in short barreled revolvers typical of those LE Officers carry,
the corresponding lower velocity bullets do not penetrate
windshield glass, plywood, or car door barrier tests. When
penetration occurs in the other tests, non-expansion of the bullets
leads to diminished terminal performance and gross overpenetration
of the target.
This SPEER Gold Dot Hollow Point ammunition was specifically
designed to operate in the most prevalent back-up revolver: The
Smith & Wesson J Frame with 1 7/8” barrel. Ballistic gelatin testing
demonstrates excellent terminal performance when shot through
the FBI Ammunition Test Protocol. Attached results document the
superior performance of this ammunition in this operating platform."