.45 FMJ vs .38 LSWC+P for self defense

Back to the original question, they are both good choices (but you don't get a guarantee about "stopping power" or "one shot stops" with either.)
  1. Pick the one you are more comfortable with.
  2. If that's a tie, go with the .45 just because it's bigger.
  3. If you shoot the .38 better than the .45, that trumps size.
Buffalo Bores LSWCHP 158gr +38
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In NJ, he can't carry hollow-points (OK to use them at home, I think) so the Buffalo Bore wadcutters might be a better choice. I wonder how a DEWC cast from dead-soft lead and driven kind-of fast would work?
 
Here's an excellent article by Alan Jones, formerly of the Dallas County Crime Lab and more recently, of Speer. I corresponded with Alan some in the early 90's, regarding their excellent 200 grain Gold Dot .44 Special ammo. He's a stand-up guy and Shooting Times can be glad he's writing for them.

It relates to the topic at hand. Crime Lab Innovates Gelatin Tests
 
I have full trust and confidence in the 45 ACP hardball round.

For the 38spl, a 148 grain hollow base wadcutter reverse loaded is, according to Keith a good manstopper.

I believe he said "sometimes I mistakenly load the slug the wrong way".

They aren't accurate but at close range they will expand to almost .50 inches with lots of jagged edges. Essentially, you have a mini saw blade whirling around inside the target.
 
OP,
HPs are not illegal in NJ. You can't have them in your carry gun and since you are not going to be able to get a permit to carry here anyway, that is a non-issue. If you do carry "illegally" and are somehow caught, the HPs would be an additional add-on charge. You can buy them, take them home, take them to the range, or have them in your HD gun, all within the political scribble that passes for firearms law here. You will need to get an FOID to purchase handgun ammo over the counter here. BTW, if you're just visiting and are not a permanent resident (ie NJ DL, etc), leave the guns at home. There are exceptions for those here to shoot in a match and are leaving afterward but that does not seem like your situation.
 
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I accept your correction. However, it makes no nevermind as to the stopping power of the .45 ACP hardball when compared to the .38. Special or otherwise.
That 230 grainer is now, and has been proven to be a great manstopper. I am not saying that there have not been improvements in the load, I just wonder if they were really needed, or are a method of making more money.
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If we were comparing .45 ACP and .38 Special both loaded with RNFMJ, then I would agree that the .45 is undoubtedly the best choice. However, we're still talking about two comletely different styles of bullets and, as such, the answer is not so clear cut. RNFMJ is generally considered to be one of the worst choices in a major caliber (9mm/.38 Special and up). This is because the rounded nose tends to "push" tissue out of the way while it penetrates. Soft tissue, being quite elastic, will often rebound back a bit after being displaced and thus the permanent crush cavity of a .451" RNFMJ is fairly likely to be less than .451" in diameter.

The flat noses and sharp shoulders of a WC or SWC bullet, however, is more likely to lacerate and/or crush tissue than to stretch it. The permanent crush cavity of a WC or SWC bullet is more likely to be the full diameter of the cutting shoulder. The flatter noses of such bullets also make them less likely to riccochet or deflect when they strike a hard object like bone or auto glass at an angle.

Given that the OP is talking about an area where the use of expanding bullets (outside of some exotics like Federal EFMJ) would apparently be illegal, I don't think that either of the loadings he mentioned would be the best choice. Instead, I think that a .45 ACP SWC like Federal 185gr Gold Match would be the best option so long as his gun is reliable with it.
 
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