If you've only got 500 to work with and plan on using it as your primary weapon I would go with a Taurus .357. For the price it will always go bang no questions asked. Or if your willing to put out a lil more I would go with a Sig P220. OR pick up a Glock, also reliable Im just not very partial to them. IMO stick with bigger rounds unless its a secondary weapon.
~Psycho