My first handgun was a Bauer .25acp for which I paid $90. I can tell you that "you get what you pay for" is true in that the little *&^% blew up on me. Quality counts and when a life depends on it a little extra cash up front goes a long way.
I had a Star 380. The sport thumb riser is what made me choose it, as my hand actually fit the grip. Loved that gun.
One that I wish I hadn't sold, but I got a Bersa to replace it, and it is a pretty good comparison.
Paid $250 for the Star, $280 for the Bersa.
First gun was a surplus bulgarian makarov 9X18. Nice little gun. Paid about 100.00 for it. I could never find ammo for it so i sold it for my first Glock....never looked back
I actually made my first! It was a kit my dad bought for me...Kentucky .45 black powder. And, being a stupid kid, I'd increase the amount powder (disregarding the rec measurement) to get a bigger bang and muzzle flash. Lucky the damn thing didn't blow up in my hand!
$354 I believe for a PT 24/7. Held on to it (despite its flaws) for several years before trading it back to the store I got it from for my FNP 45 which I intended to keep until the bitter end.