Probably worth going back to the suggestions earlier in the thread and looking at a Norinco SKS or their MAK 90s. Even with the price inflation, I've seen decent condition SKSs going for around $300 at the gun shows (and with no paperwork). The Norinco MAKs are well made (I have both milled and stamped versions) and can be upgraded quite easily. Ironwood makes stocks that replace the sporter thumbhole stock with an original style stock.