A Raven Arms MP-25 is probably the cheapest self-defence handgun that won't explode in your hand. It's suitable for old ladies and just about anyone else (besides the ones with more money to spend, of course). There's a dizzying array of reasons why I would choose this as my conceal carry over anything else:
>Comes in a variety of many wonderful colours.
>Reliable, Accurate, Dependable (surprisingly so, as a matter of fact)
>Very easy to disassemble and reassemble. All you really need is a common flat-head screwdriver and it only has about a dozen components holding it together.
>CHEAP! I wouldn't pay anything over 80 dollars for it because if it were any higher: I would just buy a Hi-Point.
>Replaceable! Once you use it on a mugger or a robber: it's going to get confiscated as evidence and, in that case, you're never getting your gun back (I think. At least, that's what I'm lead to believe after playing Police Quest I). If I happen to be mistaken: then your gun's coming back in worse condition than it was before so use a Raven for self-defence before using your very expensive Colt 1911 long-slide with stainless steel finish because it's not going to be such a big deal when it comes back to you after the police dick around with it. You can always buy another one if worse comes to worst.
>Fun range toy. .25 ACP is pretty pricey but I hear a lot of testimonials that it's delightful to shoot.
Of course, take that with a grain of salt. I don't have any guns. Until I can get my CC permit: I'm going to use a deck of cards and a swift kick to the nuts with my steel-toe boots so I might not know what the hell I'm talking about.