Reply #25: As others here have mentioned, the .380 is better than nothing.

[cognoscere]

It's also better than a rock, stick, knife(unless it's long enough to be a sword) and numerous other items. The sad reality is that virtually every "name brand" firearm costs a bundle, even for .22's.
The used market isn't much better. However, the higher prices seem to be in the large store areas - Gander Mountain is insane and Cabella's is not much better. If you have a small gun shop/store near you, check them out. Get to know the owner and be known by him.

There are all kinds of these places around Milwaukee, especially the further north you go. Closer to home, Paddock Lake Sports has a large selection of new and used guns at better than average prices. I've heard that Pete's Guns in Kenosha is good. Fleet and Farm and Dunham's are also reasonable, but I can't remember if they sell handguns.

Lastly, I've been reading a lot of good info on Hi Point firearms. Here's their website: http://www.hi-pointfirearms.com/index.html
Would I own one? No, I don't like striker fired pistols, so I wouldn't own a Glock either. Anyway, the consensus is they are reliable, accurate, and ugly. At $135 for the .380 and $155 for the 9mm, they are, as they are advertised, affordable. They are also made in Ohio and have a LIFETIME warranty.

You'll need to decide what is best for you - maybe frequent some ranges that have rentals so you can get a feel for what works. Some things to consider: Single/double action; striker/hammer; single or double stack magazine; pistol or revolver. Better yet, enlarge your circle of friends to include one or two gun...afficienados.

Two or three times a year I get together with other shooters and we make... a lot of noise(especially when we get the Tannerite out)
I've seen a Beretta 92 stovepipe and FTF; an FN FTF; and a Steyr lock up so bad we had to strip it and prod it with a screwdriver to get the unfired round out, which might not be a problem if you are good and fast with a screwdriver. I've shot.380,.38,.357 magnum, 9mm,.40 S&W, .44 magnum; and .500 S&W magnum - guess what? If you can't hit what you're aiming at, it doesn't matter what you have, although the blast and flame from the .500 magnum might take out a bad guy even though you missed. The point is, whatever you decide to get, train and practice with it as though your life depended on it. I've been using a lowly .380 Llama for years, but I know what it will do and I know what I can do with it.

Ultimately, you need to do some analysis of what you need and how you will use it. Five hundred rounds a week for IPSC? Or a box here and there just to keep the coordination in shape? Good luck and good hunting (bargains)