I hear ya. Training is paramount, except, it seems with black powder handguns. I've seen some pretty good shots at rendezvous on the pistol course, who had ZERO training. We always beat them, but that's to be expected. My bro had notched the right grip of his 1875 Remington every year he won. The first year I entered was the first year he's lost. LOL - he loaned me his Ruger Bisley .45 Colt & also donated the BP ammo, 35gr. 3F GOEX and 250gr. SWC. That was the first year he lost 1st place in the 8th year of the contest, so there is a blank space on the grip between that one, and the 9th year which he won. I shot my Blackhawk .357 with .38's, w/150gr. and 13gr. 3F. I lost that one.
As far as a self defense handgun, we're behind the 8 ball. No such animal here. I do have swords, though. Big Knife.