I just bought a P-32,was $235 with a hard chromed slide.Its a gun you carry all the time-when wearing shorts,can't hide anything smaller, ect-.guys will tell ya stories bout 80 year old women shooting at perps(no doubt the 6-5, 300+lb,crazed on angeldust type)with a .32 and it just pissing them off enough to rip grandmas arm outta the socket and beat her to death with it.But I say if you or anyone is 5-10 feet away from me and I point this thing in your face and pull the trigger a half dozen times you'll either die ,be deterred,or my time on earth is up no matter what I was carrying.
There is just nothing else like the P-32.6+ ounces empty and under $300.you could get a Naa or equivalent but its gomna cost near $400+ and weigh near 20 oz.The Naa .380 is the same palm size,but posseses the aformentioned penalties.Besides there are a couplea .32 loads that approach .380 power and speed.
I agree that a tiny .40,.45 handgun is a handfull.I like them,but for me 9mm is the most controllable-read accurate-small package auto caliber and what i prefer since I just refuse to carry fullsize or commander size weapons.
If you want a "fullsize" caliber,the polymer kahr's and Ltwt S&W centenials in .38 special are the smallest lightest options.Both are in the 16.oz empty,$400+ range.
Hope this helps.