Even a '38 Special standard load has trouble penetrating heavy coats while retaining enough energy to penetrate to vital organs let alone to expand and transfer the energy to tissue and damage it enough to immediately stop an assailant.
so when the mugger asks me for my wallet and i pump 6 rounds of .38 in his direction....he will what, laugh and say "that tickles?" i've seen someone get shot with a .32acp. 3 rounds, center mass. they were wearing a hoodie. they were stopped in their tracks. they were still alive, but, under threat of being shot again, chose to stay down and wait for the ambulance. a .32, .25, .38 will never be able to hold a candle to a .357, .44 or .45, but they are still effective. again, think about what has already been said here, when, has anyone ever wanted to get shot by anything?
i plan on carrying a 9mm with +p during the winter or where i can wear a coat or heavier clothing, but during the summer and warmer months, i need something that fits in my pocket, enter the .25acp. if open carry ever passes, problem solved.