For the first pistol, consider a Norinco Sig or CZ clone. They pop up on EE regularly for about $300 shipped. I found a brand new unfired NP22 specimen, and then ordered Hogue grips ($25 @ Cabelas), 19 lb Wolff mainspring, plus recoil spring, decocker and trigger springs from the Sig P226 parts kit. Total strip, deep clean, lube, reassemble with new parts - it is quite impressive gun for the money.
Norc NZ can be tuned in a similar way. You get the same functionality for a fraction of the cost. If/when you decide to upgrade, you should be able to get most of your money back.