I agree, Glocks are good. Mine is a 45ACP. But if keeping the price around $300 is important, than a 4" Taurus in 38 Special, 357 Magnum or 44 Special is a good option.
Personally, I don't want to be laying on the floor shot all to hell because I didn't have enough firepower...
This is not the place for him to be cutting corners..