“You’re much better off with a .38 Special.
Never discount the .38 Special. Has been around forever, +P is especially effective if loaded properly. I don’t own a .357 Mag. but it will give best of both worlds. Close or with some added range. Both are absolutely great rounds.”
It’s hard to beat a .38 Special. When I carry my S&W Model 36 (1 7/8”) it is with factory 148 grain wadcutters @ about 700 fps. The trigger pull is light and smooth, it goes bang every time, recoil is light and easy to control, and the bullet penetrates very deeply. Look at the chart in the article for penetration with this load.
Yes, it has earned an incredible reputation. The only thing the .357 has on it is the ability to reach our much farther. If you’re in a city, that extra range is probably a negative not a positive.
The other thing 357 has is the ability with the right load to penetrated some body armor. Of course good bullet placement negates that advantage too.