Save your money. Put it in a savings account at a bank, and add to it every time you get any income.
When you have $400.00 to $600.00, invest it in a slightly-used pistol of well-known make. Buy it at a reputable gun shop where the clerks know what they're talking about, and the owner will refund your money if the gun turns out to be a dud.
Pistols called things like "Commanche" and "Vindicator" and "Avenger" are almost always poorly made of pot-metal.

Originally Posted by Steve M1911A1

Save your money. Put it in a savings account at a bank, and add to it every time you get any income.
When you have $400.00 to $600.00, invest it in a slightly-used pistol of well-known make. Buy it at a reputable gun shop where the clerks know what they're talking about, and the owner will refund your money if the gun turns out to be a dud.
Pistols called things like "Commanche" and "Vindicator" and "Avenger" are almost always poorly made of pot-metal.

+1

Also, if you're a poor college student (I am as well...for another week and a half! WOOHOO), then I would recommend purchasing a 9mm of some sort. I know you mentioned that you prefer revolvers, but don't overlook the price of ammo. I don't know about in your area, but the 38spl ammo here is considerably more expensive than the 9mm ammo. If purchasing a 38spl will keep you from practicing as much, than I would suggest purchasing one that you can afford to practice more with (9mm). Just my .02

-Jeff-

You could find a new Rossi for roughly $250, and be a lot better off. Not top of the line, but much better.

This one is $268 at Bud's

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/80025

The Comanche most likely functions. They are rugged but I do not know how reliable they are. My advice is to search a little more and find a used Ruger in .38 special or .357 magnum. The price might be similar and the firearm you get would be worlds better than the Comanche.

If you want to stay with a revolver stick with S&W or Ruger. You can find .38spl's from either manufacturer for $400+. When I'm in the market, I think about my purchases this way: a quality handgun from a good manufacturer will last, and give you piece of mind for many years. If your only planning on keeping the gun for a few years, the resale will be better.

Do the best of both worlds, a revolver with cheap ammo thats still actually a decent defence round. Save a few more dollars and buy a Ruger SP101 or a Taurus 605 in 9mm.

Those Comanche pistols are not much to talk about. as many of these earlier posts say save your money and bet a revolver that you know will be reliable for a good long time. A tool that you are going to expect to protect you is the wrong time to try and be.....frugal. There are some less expensive wheel guns out there that are of a reasonable quality.

Rossi, Ruger, to name a couple. My Dad always told me when looking for a tool for protection ans yourself just one question. "What's your life worth?"