If you have read all of the reports about the M4 AKA Civi Car-15 in Iraq then you would know that are military is not happy with the gun. It is a good gun if it's properly maintained and you don't get dirt/sand etc. in the wrong areas. For actual combat you would want a gun that will hold up through just about anything and still keep funtioning. I have never had a jam with my AK at the range but always have at least one with the AR. As for the SKS, don't even waste your money on them. They were designed so that anyone with a lathe could manufature one. Yes they are reliable but they are far from an AK. Why spend 150-200 when you can buy a good AK for 300-400. It just doesn't make any sense. I agree with some of the others that if you want a good gun then get an HK-91 in .308 but not many people can afford that. If you want reliability, knock down power, accuracy up to 200 yards, cheap non corrosive ammo (wolf, norinco, etc. read the label) and a cheap price on the gun then get the AK. You won't regret it.    JT