Sheriff's Tips: Don’t Buy Expensive Defense Guns?

by
posted on April 4, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
hipower.jpg

“Don’t buy expensive defense guns.” I heard that comment from a defensive shooter just the other day. His argument was that your defense gun will be confiscated by law enforcement if it is used in a defensive shooting. He further argued that even if the gun is returned to you, it will have rusted and reposed in some police evidence locker for quite some time. For this reason, he suggests arming yourself with an inexpensive gun that you won’t mind losing. Frankly, I am still trying to wrap my head around his logic.

Having spent quite a few years as a peace officer, I can tell you that your gun will more than likely be collected as evidence if it is used in a defensive shooting. Law enforcement officers don’t do magic; they can’t always look at everyone and tell the good guys from the bad guys. In addition, the courts require that all physical evidence, including your gun, be examined and compared to witness statements and other evidence that has been collected regarding the incident. In most cases involving a justifiable shooting, the gun will eventually be returned to you. But the reasoning that this justifies carrying a cheap gun—a disposable gun, if you will—just boggles the mind.

All of the knowledge and skill that you have acquired is of no value of the defensive handgun fails during the moments of a violent criminal attack.

For the average citizen, the most traumatic event in your life is to be involved in a criminal attack where you have to use your defensive handgun. It is something that you can only hope that you will survive. Your survival will depend upon your level of marksmanship, the amount of training that you have received and how well you have applied it, and quality of your defensive armament. All of the knowledge and skill that you have acquired is of no value if the defensive handgun fails during the moments of a violent criminal attack.

Consider this: We don’t buy the cheapest car that we can find just because there is a likelihood that it might be stolen and, if that happened, we wouldn’t be out a lot of money. No, instead we buy the best car that we can afford, one that will perform the tasks that we expect of it.

The defensive shooter does not require a lot of guns, although there is certainly nothing wrong with owning a number of guns. What he needs are defensive handguns that he can depend on when/if the day ever comes that he has to bet his life against an armed criminal. And it is a simple fact that quality, well-made guns tend to cost more.

Does this mean that you need to run out and spend $3,000 to $4,000, or more, for a super custom gun? Absolutely not. But you should buy and carry the best quality handgun that you can possibly afford. That is just as important as getting the best defensive training that you can afford.

When the lives of you and your family are at stake, going cheap is just not really a good idea.

 

Latest

Kimber 2K11
Kimber 2K11

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 6, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

FEMA Notes Decline In Disaster Preparedness

A recent report from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) noted a decline in local government preparedness for natural disasters, putting increased pressure on individuals to prepare themselves for emergencies.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.