I'm with Charlie and Wilkes--the Beretta 390 is tough to beat if you can find one.
For an out of the ordinary recommendation, I also had a great experience with an H&R Excell Auto. Picked one up for $225 at a pawnshop when I was a poor student in 2006. It gave me almost ten years of flawless use before I parked it in the safe. Still gets occasional use as a loaner.
The Browning B80 is another reliable shooter that can be found for a reasonable price, if you don't mind a wood stock.
