Is the .380 auto really a piece of junk? I saw Sauers for $175.00.
Sauers are decent pistols, but the .380 round is usually used for size and convenience rather than stopping power. The cartridges can also be hard to find, and expensive when you do. Unless you need a small carry piece, I’d go for the larger, and more powerful 9mm.
Irwindale Arms makes a decent .380. When I worked at a pawn shop, it was popular with cops for use as a backup weapon. It tucked away neatly into an ankle holster.
Baretta also made a good, albeit larger, .380. It was basically a smaller version of their extremely popular 9mm which was used by the Army.
Because the .380 is such a light round, it’s much easier to manufacture acceptable quality pistols for the round. Therefore you’re more likely to find very low-cost pistols chambered for it. Top-quality pistols will still cost about as much as they would for one chambered for one of the heavier rounds.
The .380 is the lightest round I personally would trust my life to, and many, many firearms experts hold similar opinions. Better, IMO, to go for a .38 featherweight or one of the small 9mm pistols. You’ll pay a bit more, in ammunition, recoil, and cost, but it’s a worthwhile upgrade, if you intend to trust your life to it.
Oh, and get thee to the range! 