Can a .38 caliber revolver shoot .38 Special ammo?
Only if it’s chambered for .38 Special or .357 Magnum. Read the barrel. “.38” covers several different cartridges.
.38 Special
How much better is .357 Magnum than .38 Special +P?
From a 4-inch barrel, a full-power .357 carries roughly 50% to 80% more energy than a .38 +P with the same bullet weight. You pay for it in recoil, muzzle blast and flash.