"best" and "most affordable "won't go together on my main response which is a Universal carbine.You will see some who regard it as next to trash,but I bought one for $200,its my shoot shoot shoot,hardly clean it gun.Its always functioned fine...for now.
Iver Johnson,IMI...(was'nt Springfield inc suppose to sell them?)are other brand names but none will be as good as a original.Blue sky imported a few years ago,you might find one of those.
if you can cough up the dough get a real G.I.
yes they are FUN,and good for non gun people and women to shoot also.Another reason I bought that Universal.