I wouldn't buy a M44 unless it was an unissued one. Most of them don't shoot worht a crap.

If you want a carbine, look for 91/59 carbine. Its a m91/30 cut down to carbine length. Advantages are
-it has a heavier barrel than the m38 orm44 carbine
-no silly folding bayonet
-Not likely to have ever been used after its conversion meaning that there's a decent chance that it will shoot ok.