Well, you're not giving us much to work with. What kind of handgun? An automatic? A revolver?
Also, your price range is a bit low. $250 will get you a Hi Point, a Cobra derringer, a Phoenix Arms HP22 or 25 (if they're still in business), a S&W Hammerless Safety top break revolver, or a Nagant revolver. Maybe a few other obscure guns that I forgot to list, but that's about it. Of those, the Hi Point is the one I would go with. You'll have a choice of .380, 9mm, .40, and .45.
YOUR BEST BET, however, is to save up a bit more and move up to a Ruger or Taurus. If you want anything different, you're looking at $500+ for a Glock, Sig, S&W, or any make of 1911.
P.S. Add to the list of "guns in that price range" the entire Jennings line of pistols and then try to forget they exist.
P.P.S. Don't forget Tokarevs. Just have fun paying for 7.62mm ammo that isn't corrosive or been sitting around since Tito's first term as President of Yugoslavia.