I am seriously considering a Tokarev 7.62 X 25.
It’s a Russian version of the 1911. SUPER cheap ammo (avoid the milsurp though, very corrosive). The firearm itself is only $200 Cdn, and I can get clean ammo locally for about $0.15-$.20/round.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7.62×25mm_Tokarev
I own one and I love it. Bought mine about a year ago and can’t say enough good things about it. Mine was Romanian army surplus.
C
If you can find one I suggest a Czech CZ 52. The Tokarev is good but the CZ 52 is superior. For a while you could pick them up here in the US for $150- $190 with holster & extra mag in unfired condition. The only caveat is the firing pin was made of cast steel which usually broke if dry fired excessively. Lots of companies offer after market machined firing pins for a few dollars.
BTW don't let corrosive ammo scare you off. It's only a problem for people who don't clean their firearms for weeks after shooting. Hot soapy water quickly removes the corrosive salts.
I have several boxes of corrosive 8MM Mauser from the 1930s, made in Germany. Every one still goes bang, never had a misfire yet.Corrosive primers stay good for a very very long time.