Could you consider a 158 grain LSWC-HP? I have reloaded the very soft Speer variety and it performs very well, and was what I carried in a 3" S&W M60. Reason I suggest this, is I was not all that impressed with the Hornady 125 grain XTP-HP bullets I tested.
They were very accurate, but even with impact velocities of 1200 fps fired from a 9mm pistol, expansion was not what I was looking for, and would be much less at the velocities I drove them to in .38 Special. Aside from the first Solo data, the other velocities fell within the acceptable range window according to Hornady, for proper expansion. See attached photo at the bottom, bullet to the far left. Impact velocity was just over 1200 fps.
If interested, here is some 125 gr Hornady XTP-HP data from my 3" model 60, which is +P rated.
4.2 grains Solo 1000 CCI 500 Horn 125 XTP HP
685, 693, 674, 696, 681 AV 685 ES 22 SD 8
5.5 grains WW 231 WW SPP 125 Horn XTP HP
921, 917, 920, 868, AV 906 ES 53 SD 25 Very Clean
7.8 grains HS-6 CCI 500 125 Horn XTP HP
850, 860, 838, 817, 867, AV 846 ES 50 SD 19 Absolutely filthy, lots-o-unburned propellant
8.5 grains HS-6 125 Hornady XTP-HP WW SPP
912, 920, 966, 954, 895, 929 AV ES 71 SD 29
6.5 Power Pistol 125 gr .357” XTP WW SPP
951, 962, 981, 975 976 av 969 es 30 sd 12
Here is data for the 158 gr Speer LSWC-HP:
7.3 grains HS-6 158 Speer LSWC HP CCI 500 *** 15 year old ammo when tested ***
863, 847, 890, 891, 840, AV 866 ES 51 SD23
6 grains Power Pistol 158 Speer LSWC-HP CCI 550 MAG Primer
931, 925, 946, 918, 915, AV 927 ES 31 SD12