Much also depends on the person. For instance in getting a carry firearm for the wife, I ended up with a Ruger LCR using 125 grain LRN at fairly low pressure. The reasoning is she just plain has a "fear" of the excessive punch and noise of the +P's that it will handle. In other words she can't hit the broad side of a barn with hot loads. Yes, with practice she can work up to the more potent rounds but we just haven't got there yet. My belief is that a .22 LR is a far supperior weapon to a .45 if you can punch a single hole with the first and not hit diddley with the latter. Besides, You get right down to it, the "mouse" rounds have dispatched many a varmint, 4 and 2 legged, in it's day. There are other considerations too such as comfort. I have tried on occasion or two to carry my Security Six and found it to be awkward and heavy. Is it far superior to the 2inch snubbie I carry now, yep, but the smaller is more comrortable to wear and causes less notice by the unwashed. I like the feel, or lack thereof, when carrying the LCR. Hardly notice it's there. The problem I have is I like to have a bit of heft in my hand when I shoot so I carry the much heavier Taurus 2 inch in .357 mag. I do use a big round in it too. I shoot a hand load of max pressure rounds with Nosler 180 grn partition full metal hollow points. Would not like a day of shooting with that combo but for taking care of the bad guys, for me it's no problem.
Bottom line, there is no perfect carry rig/firearm. I'd have no problem wih a .32 cal.
TBG