Originally Posted by Kerbouchard

A quality pistol is going to be expensive. Sometimes you can find a used S&W that is about 70% in the 200 dollar range. It won't be a snubby and it won't be able to handle .357. You'll be limited to .38, possibly +P, maybe not. If you are looking for a slightly rusted pistol with a 4" barrel that cannot shoot +P loads, you might be able to get to the $150-175 range.

The reason a shotgun was recommended so many times is that a quality shotgun can be had under $200. Developing the proficiency to hit what you aim at is also much, much cheaper with a shotgun than a pistol. A shotgun provides some degree of stopping power, where as a pistol does not.

Most of the people on this forum carry a concealed handgun everywhere they go, and I would bet a majority of this forum depends on a Shotgun as their primary Home Defense Method.

Believe me, if I had my way, I wouldn't carry a concealed handgun. I would feel much more comfortable carrying a rifle or a shotgun.

If concealed carry was against the law and I could only have one firearm, it would be a 12 ga.

Edited to add...as far as your question if somebody would really spend $630 for a pistol...well, there are many people on this forum that have spent several thousand on a pistol.