[QUOTE=BigOlChiefsfan;5161818]Police trade-in pistols and revolvers are usually in good shape, and priced well. A used .38 or .357 revolver, or a .40S&W/9mm pistol can be had for less than $400 easily, and you'll have money for a shotgun, as discussed above. You can search here:
Gunbroker
I've used Gunbroker.com before; I managed to get my Sig Pro for $320 in New Hampshire. No problems etc.
As others have mentioned, police trade ins are a good value.