See Post 14. That Russian SSP (single stroke pneumatic) pistol is/was (?) well under $500.
Lots of new competition shooters started out with one.

Also, check out the Chiappa FAS 6004 copy of the old Italian made FAS 604 SSP. I understand they fairly close to the original, and they are a surprisingly good value ( under $500).

BTW, I hope the recommendations for the more expensive air pistols didn't sound too "snobbish". I was trying to preemptively address the common complaint that people have concerning their dissatisfaction with the performance of many air pistols.
I, too, resisted the expensive ones for quite a while. But once I tried them, there was no turning back!

Jim

PS: There are some FANTASTIC replies here! For as long as I've been shooting air guns, leave it to the great S&W Forum members to chime in with their huge bank of experience and knowledge!!