Reply #43: If you're going to bet your life on a weapon...

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it's better to buy one that is reliable. The last thing you are going to worry about when the shit hits the fan is how expensive the weapon was. The most important item is that it does go bang if you need it to. You have to make some really tough decisions in an emergency, you definitely don't need to concerned about your weapon functioning properly. If you have confidence in your ability and your weapon, it shows. The bad guy may just decide to leave. All is well that ends well and with firearms quite often you get what you paid for.

Many high quality used handguns are available. Most people who buy a firearm only run a box or two of ammo through it. I have several firearms that I've shot well over 10,000 times. They still look and function like new.

For self defense, I like a revolver. I'm fond of the KISS principle. While I do own several Colt .45 autos, I've never had any desire to own a semi-auto handgun with a decocker. I learned a long time ago how to safely drop the hammer on a revolver or a 1911 style weapon. A decocker flat out scares me.