The relative merits of the 25 are up for debate, sure, but the fact is they exist and in significant quantities. I carry a P11 most of the time, but I like to collect 25's.
When people question the 25, my standard answer is this: What is the likely outcome probability of a gun being used in self defense? Well, you can point to a 'stop.' In this case, the usual statistic is that rounds that are shot and hit their targets will have a number associated with them as far as a rough percentage of 'one-shot stops.' So, the 357 magnum is said to be a 96% stopper, the 45 is said to be an 80% stopper, etc. 22 short and 25 auto make the list around the 40-50% range on lists I can recall.
But backup a minute. What is the probability of a shot being fired. In reality, less than 1% of all firearms encounters result in a shot being fired. In most cases, brandishing, flashing, or threatening with the gun is significant to stop an encounter. Let's presume that it's 1% when you'd need to fire a shot.
Of that, better than half of the perpatrators will not be stopped instantly with anything less than a 45, 44 magnum, 357 etc. The reason was explored in tests of the 45 auto shooting animals. Animals didn't know they had been shot and would take 10 minutes or thereabouts to die when shot with anything less than a 'large caliber' handgun in this case a 45 colt. Humans react the same way. Somebody who is shot with a 9mm -- even fatally -- still has about 10 minutes of violence left in them. So, unless you are carrying a 'STOPPER' like the 357 or 45, look out.
So, why did the little 22 short and 25 auto make such high numbers on the list? The answer is that a Cap Gun might have also made those numbers. Certainly, a bad guy might be crazy, drugged, boozed, stoned, or just pumped so full of adrenaline that he doesn't care. But most often that bad guy is just plain SCARED. He probably DOESN'T WANT TO BE SHOT and certainly can tell when a gun is fired at close range. When a gun is fired, he will realize that HIS life is in danger and depart no matter whether the gun is a 500 S&W or a 22 shot.
In this respect, any gun is a 99.5% stopper and the pipsqueak calibers still rate a respectable 99.75%.
On to the 32 and 380. Well, those calibers still only rate in the 60-70% on the one-shot stop chart. That makes them... well you do the math but it ain't much more. Of course, if you're not already numb, I'll give you the counter-argument. If you can carry a 357, 45, or anything larger, why do you want to give up that quarter of a percent? Good point. Back to reality with you though. If you DO carry it, though, that's great. Can't tell you how many people have a 45 sitting in a drawer while they go about their lives unarmed. Why? Because it's cumbersome, they don't have a proper carry rig, they get complacent, it's heavy, etc.
Bottom line: A 25 is the smallest gun you can find, still, and near the lightest. It's inconspicuous in a pocket and is no big deal if you lose it. It doesn't take a body-builder to control it and it's almost always there for you. It's more reliable than a 22 and can save your life (well, 99.75% of the time anyway).