I'll say the 38 SPECIAL +P will be a better round than the .380 acp
I like the 158 gr. +P 38 SPECIAL over any 380 load, you'll get a deeper wound channel+1
The .38 special is a much better cartridge than .380 ACP.
A full-power .38 special (from Buffalo Bore) can launch a 158 gr. projectile at 1000 fps. from a snubbie. There is not a .380 ACP load made that can touch that.
If a full-power .38 special load proves to be to much recoil you can always load a revolver with lower-recoil standard pressure loads (or even target wadcutters) and they will still perform equally as reliably as with the full-power stuff. However, if a small .380 proves to be to much recoil there is not much you can do if you want the gun to still function reliably.