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1. The old .38-44 has no real connection to the .38-44 of the 1930's. The old .38-44 is an elongated .38 S&W (case length c. 1.48", longer than the .357), so is larger in diameter than the .38 Special.
2. The .38 Special +P runs a maximum average pressure of 18,500, vs a MAP of 17,000 for the .38 Special, so it is, at least on paper, a bit "hotter". But I can guarantee that many of us loaded the .38 Special a lot hotter than that, getting close to .357 velocities in guns like the Colt OM and the S&W .38-44 Heavy Duty. I at least, never blew up any guns, but don't know how close I might have come. My old HD is in the safe, though, and I still have all my assorted appendages.
Jim
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