I own a lot of guns. Many of you do too. We own them not just for personal protection, but also for a variety of purposes. But let’s face it. Whether someone owns one gun or a dozen, in the deepest recesses of the mind of every gun owner is the realization that, one day, he or she may have to use a gun to defend himself or herself.

However, when it comes to carrying a firearm, defending ourselves or others is obviously the primary reason. As a result, there are certain non-negotiable attributes for defensive firearms that are not critical for recreational guns.

For example, you may not mind an occasional misfeed or failure to eject in your .22 plinking rifle. But when your life is on the line, you would demand that your gun be as close to 100 percent reliable as possible. Anything less is unacceptable. But you do not have to spend a month’s salary to get a solid, reliable carry gun.

Years ago, options for carry handguns were somewhat limited, and the quality of the end product — even among major manufacturers — depended heavily on human factors. The quality of the gun that came off the assembly line was the result of the skill of the particular gunsmith who did the machining, fitting and assembly.

The good news is that today, there are more gun choices than ever before. Better yet, advances in technology have been revolutionizing the firearms industry. Just as it has influenced every other product we buy, technology has improved firearm quality and reliability while also reducing costs.

Almost any new gun you buy today, regardless of the manufacturer, has probably been designed and refined on a computer. It has also more than likely been manufactured using astonishingly precise computer numerical control (CNC) milling machines with little more than finishing touches provided by employees. This is why you can now disassemble a dozen identical model guns from the same manufacturer, mix up the parts, reassemble them and find that every part will fit perfectly and the guns will all function flawlessly. You would never have dreamed of trying that 50 years ago.

There are more manufacturers than ever producing guns specifically for the carry market — from full-sized duty guns down to micro-compact pocket pistols and revolvers. And now that the election-fueled run on guns has subsided, you can get well-made guns for very reasonable prices.

But be smart. Even if you have decided on the basic type of gun you want, don’t stop there. For example, suppose you like the size and simplicity of a compact revolver. The cost of a five-shot .38 Special, even from the same manufacturer, can run from an MSRP of less than $400 to over $1000. What’s the difference? Exotic metallurgy that shaves off slightly more than 2 ounces. It is your decision whether saving that little bit of weight is worth paying more than double the price.

Finally, do not overlook good used guns. A lot of people trade in their guns after using them very little or even not at all. Sometimes, they do not like the recoil, or they just decide they want something else. By law, such guns have to be sold as used, which can translate to a real bargain. Buy from a reliable retailer or talk to a trusted gunsmith for some tips on what to look for in a used pistol or revolver.

As always, stay safe. And happy hunting!