Earlier in this thread I mentioned CDNN.
Here's the list of guns I was talking about
:
https://www.cdnnsports.com/firearms....NS&caliber=9MM
As of right now, there are half a dozen 9mm pistols at CDNN that can be purchased new for $250 or less. The Walther Creed is on that list--I have no experience with it, but it seems to work well based on the reviews I've seen. Also, the previously mentioned Ruger EC9S is only $200.
If you want to include .380 caliber pistols, then here's the list for those, sorted, ascending by price. 7 make that list.
https://www.cdnnsports.com/firearms....iber=380%20ACP