I bought a new SR9c from Plainfield Shooting at the Indy 1500 yesterday. $399 with a 17 and 10 Mag, Stainless slide, lock and box. I think that is a good deal. My first handgun. Felt great warming it up on a cold afternoon at a friends farm. Wish I could do it again today.
There are a lot of good choices in that price range and it is hard to go wrong. Try to shoot a few and don't over think it. You will like what feels and shoots the best for you.
If you go into the used market, you can get a deal on some great guns that normally go above the $500 limit. CZ 75s are an excellent gun and can sometimes be found used for less than $500.
Not a fan of how they look and I haven't done much research on the CZ pistols. I will have to pass for now. :P
Anyways. I think it's down to a glock 19, 26 or Ruger SR9c. Then again, I can't seem to make up my mind to save my life haha. I guess I will just have to hold them and compare them side by side next time I stop by a shop that has them all.
You can find a new CZ-75 for less than $500... but the OP said... "I don't like the way they look... I want a Glock"
Ruger 22/45. Great value in pistols, likely the greatest value in handguns today.
Under $250 and you will have it when you are old and gray.
According to most people on here, there are only three guns to pick from: Glock, M&P and XD. They'll never know what they are missing.
Yep... most of the people who say "Get [insert any gun]... you won't regret it" are obviously talking from their own experiences... they can't possibly know whether or not that gun is right for the OP. (Myself included with the CZ75 suggestion)
The only way to know if you got the right gun for you is through experience and trial and error. Very rare that someone finds "THE GUN" for their first purchase.