[JavaBrewer]

For a range gun you don't need to spend that much money. As stated Sig 226 is pretty much the standard for high quality all metal sidearm and will almost hit your price limit. The Sig P2022 is the plastic option for half the cost. If you like Sigs, personally I don't like how they feel and it can't hit crap with them, you can't go wrong. For ~ $500 I would advise trying out the Smith & Wesson M&P line. I have shot those in 9/40/45 and they all felt great in my hands and I was very accurate with them.