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Yeah, so I'm thinking of getting an SKS with a 16" barrel instead of an AR-15 because, well, it's cheaper. A lot cheaper. But, I'd like to know some things about it first-

How does its cartridge (7.62x39mm) compare to the M1's? (.30 Carbine)
Is it accurate to at least 200 yards? (With a 16" barrel)
Is the ammo commonly corrosive? (I WILL NOT buy it if it has corrosive ammo. I don't think x39 is corrosive, but I want to be on the safe side.)
Are the Chinese SKS's well-built? I'm always on edge with products from China. Especially one that could kill me if it malfunctions.
Are the sights any good? If not, are they inexpensive and easy to replace?
How much, on average, does x39 cost?
If I fire a few rounds into a deer, will it kill it? This is somewhat important because I've been wondering if I could just use an intermediate caliber such as the x39 and fire 3-5 shots instead of using the .30-06 we have, which isn't too accurate.

Actually, I'd rather not get the M1 Carbine, I'd just like it as a comparative to the SKS and the AR-15. I know the AR-15 is more accurate and has a larger magazine, but has a less powerful cartridge. However, I do not know how the cartridge of the SKS measures up to a .30 Carbine, and I'd like something either extremely similar or slightly less powerful. (Because .30 Carbine is hard to come by 'round here and x39 is generally cheaper.)

I'm weening off the AR-15 because it's so damn expensive, despite the fact that I want it much, much more than either the SKS or the M1.

Oh.


Well, either of the rifles have pros and cons that pretty much level them off in a way.

I thought 5.56 was pretty easy to come by.

They're all carbines. neutral

The SKS is going to be your best value overall. Just be insistent on a careful examination of the barrel. If it's too worn or too dirty, don't spend a dime on it. Do a google search on the Cheaper Than Dirt! mail order house and buy a scope mount for it from them that won't damage the gun.

I was walking around the so-called gun library (AKA the fancy used gun boutique) at Cabela's and they had five M1 Carbines for sale with fantastic stocks and finish, and some contract versions from a famous typewriter company that were a bit worn, but not out of line for the period.

Not one of them cost more than $700, and looked worlds better than the garbage that Big 5 was selling for $1000 six months ago.

I've never been a fan of the M 16/AR 15 because of the carbon fouling that comes with the gas operation of the bolt. Too much work to keep clean. Now, a piston driven bolt on an AR 15 variant like the new Ruger SR556 or the H&K MR556 gives you the best of all worlds. But they cost way too much for your budget.

The M1 is in .30 Carbine. .30 Carbine has the muzzle energy that .357MAG has at the muzzle at 200 yards. People hunt with .357MAG.
.30-30WIN still has more muzzle energy than that, and more than x39.

The SKS isn't exactly very accurate. And the sights rather suck. I find them to sit quite a bit low.
Depends on what you buy. Some surplus can be. I don't believe ANY new-production is (that goes for any caliber).
Depends. hit or miss.
No, you should not do that. One, most states have a magazine capacity limit for hunting, and two it's not the most humane way to do it. If a bolt-action .30-06 isn't accurate, a semi-automatic x39 isn't going to be either. You could probably find a good bolt-action .30-06 for cheap used. REALLY cheap.

The SKS was not designed to work with external magazines, and they don't work well with them. Tapcoshit is s**t.
It wouldn't surprise me if the barrel was chopped, which would really ******** accuracy HARD.

Also, looking at the lower-priced offerings on Gunbroker, it's entirely possible that something is HORRIBLY wrong with it. And I think I found said package. It doesn't look like it comes with the original, working magazine.

...The people who own the SKS I'm looking at have the same carpet as me. @_@