Save your money. Buy a Glock or a Sig Sauer
Dittos....save up for a Glock, Colt, or Sig.....something that begins with .4 esp.
2nd that... Sig guy here. I also like the CZ, especially the 82/83...
Definitely the Sig Sauer P229 in .357 Sig or .40, or the 220 in .45. Glocks and some Colt revolvers is .38 special are a no-brainer as well. There are so many choices actually. Your budget seems a bit low, so I would consider trying to double it and look at the higher quality self defense sidearms. You are definitely in the right place for pistol advice. Happy hunting.
Agreed or you can probably get Springfield Armory XD .40 cal in the $500 range. If you can step up to the XDM do it but at least the XD is better than a Taurus.