I think some are missing the point, and I gotta say I agree with it, on the whole.
The point is why buy a magnum just to carry .38s in it?
I buy a magnum to carry magnums.
If I want to carry .38s, I'll carry a .38.
As far as a snub .357 goes, even with the shorter barrel you're getting more performance downrange than you are with .38+P in a 4-inch barrel, as a rule.
And if you decide there's no advantage to magnum loads because the short barrel degrades velocities too much, that same barrel will also be degrading .38 velocities if you drop down to those in the same gun for carry.
Emphasize FOR CARRY.
Not for casual range plinking.
Obviously does not apply for those who, for whatever reason, can't control full magnum loads.
Just reverting back to the idea of buying a magnum to carry magnum loads & buying a .38 if you only intend to CARRY .38 loads.
But then I'm also the guy who sees no practical point to developing rabbit plinking loads in a .30-06, or dropping them down to .30-30 levels.
I buy my .30-06s to shoot full-bore .30-06 ammunition, and if I want to chase rabbits or deer I use a .22 or a .30-30 to begin with.
Denis