I thinkthemini-30 looks like a good option, since it fires the same cartridge as the SKS, which does have very cheap, and decentammo.I have family members who have SKS's, and they're okay, but you never know if they'll be dependable, accurate, etc.
The Mini-30 and the SKS shoot about the same most of the time, but the price difference is incredible. I picked up an unissued
Yugo M59/66 for about $195 after shipping and FFL transfer. Shoots about 3-4 M.O.A.You can get a ton of cheap accessories for it, too.
I even heard there were smoothbore SKS's!!!!! There's a Soviet one my grandpa has, and it's the dirtiest gun you'll ever see, and the most accurate open-sights gun at 50 yards I've fired, which isn't much, I will admit, since we have scopes on most of our high-powered rifles.
Most SKS's aren't worth much past 250-300 yards, but you can put scopes on them. Some places send receiver covers with mounts already on them.
Is there any cheap ammo in case I do get an M1 Carbine? I haven't looked for much .30 Carbine ammo, but I was wondering what would be a good place to get, decent quality, cheap ammo? Cabela's Bulk ammo costs almost a dollar a round, I think, right?
Check
Cheaper Than Dirt and
Sportsman's Guidefor ammo. Cabela's bulk prices aren't asbad as you'd though, though. They have 300 round for $100, 600 for $190, and 1,200 for $360.
Otherwise, I'd be overjoyed if I could get an M1 Carbine, since I heard one guy whom I know wellsay it was a very fun gun for shooting, and serves as a short range, "Brush Gun", too.
If you could get back to me on those questions I have, I'd appreciate it.
You friend hit the nail on the head. Good luck finding that new rifle. Hope the info helps.