re: Best .45 for around $500 or less

If he's not gonna carry it, there's no reason to get a single sta k unless it comes that way from the factory like a 1911.

I second the vote for M&P if you want to pay a bit more.

If not, the Stoeger Cougar is a steal for under 400. It was originally made by beretta but the design was purchased by Stoeger and they still make them on beretta machines. It's a badass gun and really easy to shoot.