Personally, I'm too poor to buy cheap. There is only one handgun that I own that I regret buying (Glock 19). If you decide that you want a Glock, Sig, S&W, or whatever, don't settle for less. Sooner or later, you will regret being cheap. I understand that times are tough, but, if you have $300 that you can spend now, wait a little bit and you will have $400 or whatever you need. Most gunshops (if not all) will allow you to put a gun in lay-away. Slap that $300 down on whatever and put $20 a week on your gun until you own it. I'm sure, if you pinched pennies, that you could come up with $20 plus a week.
If you're able to spend $300 now, you can also save up a little while longer and get into a used Glock at $385-400. You had one before, you liked it and are familiar with them; that should be your #1 choice, IMO.
The $200-$300 range will get you into a police trade-in S&W, used Ruger or Taurus, or a new Kel-Tec or Bersa.
What's your life worth?
great comment!
like when buying a motorcycles helmet, get a $10 helmet if you have a $10 head.