The FN 57 is DEFINITELY the absolutely baddest handgun available, bar none. 20 rounds of body armor piercing, not a whole lot of recoil. Expensive ammo though.
What kind of shooting are you looking for? I use a Taurus Millennium .40 for home protection, paid $140 for it used and it sits in my nightstand. If someone breaks into my house and steals it before the cops get here I'm out little money, so I don't care as much. I carry an HK USP and an HK Compact, both in .40 and absolutely love them, but Glock is a fine weapon and less than $500 new. You can get a milspec 1911 .45 for $600 or a used Ballester Molina 1911 clone for $200 (I have two, great weapon). CZ52 is a damned hand cannon in 7.62 x 25, WILL puncture a vest, cheap ammo, very well made. Best part? Under $300 with magazines and holster.
Here's something you can use for home protection too! Don't even need to load it, the sound of you racking it will scare the hell out of anyone!