Years ago I had a Taurus M66 .357 that I kept in my truck console. I loaded it with 4 rounds of .38 spl +P and 2 rounds of .357 magnum. I staged the cylinder so the magnums were the last 2 rounds. I figured if the first 4 +P's didn't take the BG out, the last 2 would either kill him if they were hits......or, deafen, blind, and scorch him enough to give up if I missed.I really liked the recoil and accuracy of the +P's in the .357 . I still do the same with my .44's.
That configuration sounds right to me. And that's how I have it set up in my Rossi .357 s/s with a 4" barrel revolver. FQ and I would have a disagreement on this point--but it's not political so it doesn't matter. My thought is aligned with Peg's. A round or four of .38 +P should do the trick, but if the BG is high on sumpin-sumpin, the .357 will help him barbeque his thoughts and train him to refrain from further action. I do like the flash/boom of the .357, though.Offered by a smiling Crusader.
I'd put the mags first, if he thinks I'm throwing grenades at him I probably won't need the .38's
The way I'm looking at it, if the magnums induce flinching and/or disorientation, I want that to come lastly....not at the beginning of a firefight. I want my most accurate shot(s) to be up front and my 'last ditch', throw the kitchen sink, to be the big boomers. JMHOFWIW.
Normally,,,,,,, I carry a Ruger SP101 or a Ruger LCR both in .357 and short barrel on the SP. I use Hornady Critical Defense in .357 mag and I am disabled. rich642z