I have a pair of Bersa 9mms, one the UC (13 rounds) and the other is a HC (17 rounds) and love them both. Each set me back about $350 brand new and they have both been extremely reliable, accurate and fun to shoot. They are DA/SA and have a manual safety, similar in function to the manual safety on my 1911s. They also carry a lifetime warranty and have a strong following from the folks that own them.
There are lots of great choices in 9mm in the sub $500 price range and these pistols stand up very well when compared to others.
If for sure not going to carry, the Smith & Wesson model 39-2 or its follow-up models is the most safe gun ever made in my opinion. Also, everyone I've known to just pick up the gun shoots it well right off the git-go. Very accurate.