44 AMP
First of all.....
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Don't get hung up on small (relatively) differences in velocity figures. Individual guns can shoot "faster" or "slower" with the same lot of ammo, and when you factor in the possible differences between lots of ammo, a difference of as much as 50fps (from identical barrel lengths) is not unheard of. I have personally seen 3 different guns have a 100fps difference, but this much is unusual.
Second, there is the question of reliability. Have you (or will you) shoot the auto enough to be reasonably certain it will work when you need it? One current maker (Kahr) puts in their manual to shoot (at least) 200 rnds before considering the gun reliable.
Third, the largest difference is the platforms, and how they fit and feel in your hand, along with how well you can shoot them. While I listed it third, it is the most significant issue. Some people can't hit the broad side of a barn with a snub revolver. For some, the auto is hard to hit with. Others, have no preference. Got any Idea which one you are?
Lastly, the size thing. TO me, if you can conceal one, you can conceal the other. But then, I don't try to hide a pistol inside my speedo. People have been wearing snub .38s for generations, with regular success.
Personally, I would go with the revolver, for the following reasons; a) proven reliability and simplicity (no safety to fumble with, no magazine to come unlatched, etc.) b) cost, availability, and variety of .38 Special ammo. c)firepower isn't an issue. If you don't do it in five (or six), having another round or two seems unlikely to me to make much difference.
Remember what you are looking at here. These guns are called belly guns, cause they are intended to be used at very close range (belly to belly). These are not the guns for getting in a gun fight, exchanging fire with the bad guys. These are the guns of last resort. Their job is to stop the attack hard enough so you can get away! If they stop it for good, so much the better, but, don't count on it. Forget Hollywood fantasies, and remember that castle doctrine and "stand your ground" laws are there to protect us from legal backlash after a shooting, not to imply we should not retreat if we can.
As a private citizen (without a police dept's legal standing), every round you fire goes somewhere, and you are legally responsible for it. Those extra rounds in the auto may be a mental comfort, but if you launch them down range, you are responsible for whatever they do, and even if you are found fully justified defending yourself, you can still wind up in big trouble. Cops and soldiers can shoot to "keep their heads down". We cannot. At least not without running huge additional risks. Something to keep in mind.
And lastly, a personal preference, I would prefer the steel revolver (and accept the extra weight to carry) over the plastic frame auto, as a better impact weapon, should all else fail.
Choose and carry what you can shoot the best, what feels best in your hands. Don't let the relatively minor differences in paper ballistics override the real world when making your decision. And which ever one you choose, shoot it enough to know that its going to work, and where it hits in your hands, before you trust your life to it.
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All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.
