I have owned both the Bushy M-4gery and a Russian SKS.
The better value is the SKS. The more accurate is the M-4.
I could own 5-6 SKS' s for the price of the M-4.
It' s your money...you decide, but it' s my opinion that the group is giving good advice on this one with the SKS.
Try to get a pre-ban Chinese with a threaded(not press fit into the receiver) and a chrome lined barrel