I've walked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon also, and backpack camped in a lot of the American West and East when I was younger. I always preferred to sleep on the ground, sans tent, if the weather was decent. I understand your concern about weight since, for a multi day backpacking trip, weight is definitely a serious consideration. I wish I had had a PM40 in those days.
In my day, in certain areas, we didn't have the option to carry. In other areas we could carry. I also car camped a lot when I was in the outdoors. Again, even with car camping, I preferred sleeping without a tent.
Anyway in all my years I only had one occasion where I felt I might have to use a firearm against a four legged animal. I've had several occasions where I felt I might need it against two legged animals.
On the worse occasion I felt under gunned with a full size 1911, six spare loaded magazines, and a back up 380. Thank God things didn't progress to the point I had to use weapons. I hid (out of sight) with my wife and kids, until the potential threat passed on by, since I had heard the 'choppers' coming. Harley's driven by a motorcycle gang make a lot of noise. Just a few weeks before, a woman had been rapped by a motorcycle gang in that area.
On the only occasion where there was a threat from a four legged animal, it was a black bear. Now I've been awakened by a bear within 10 feet of me on many occasions and never really felt threatened. Scared, yes, but not threatened. This potential threat was against another person.
I was car camping by myself, and sleeping outside. For various good reasons, I had left my 44 magnum in the vehicle, although I normally preferred to have it in the sleeping bag with me. Just as daylight was breaking, I awoke to find a black bear looking me over about 10 feet away. I had all food safely secured, and after a minute or two the bear wandered on down through the campground.
However a lady was sleeping on the ground about 60 feet on down below me. This bear went to her sleeping bag, stood right beside it for a few seconds, and then actually nuzzled her sleeping bag enough to move her somewhat. Fortunately she was a 'cool lady' and didn't react. After a few more seconds the bear departed. But had the bear attacked her, I had already unzipped my sleeping bag and was preparing to retrieve my 44 magnum.
For those of you not aware, during a certain time of the month, women are more at risk of bear attack.
Anyway if the P32 is your only light weight option, carry it, and don't worry about it.
