Boy, have I been down this road a few times.
I've had a SKS, Mini14 stainless, MAK, Bushy, then a SAR AK.
I had two M1 carbines for evaluation a couple of weeks ago.
I really hate to pay $400 for a gun that is 60 years old, and looks it.
They were a lot of fun to shoot, and very accurate.
If I could have found a new IMI in that price range, I would have bought it.
I also looked at the KelTec Sub2000, but it wasn't my cup of tea.
I finally traded my SAR1 AK for a used, blue Mini14, in very good condition, with two 30rd PMI mags.
I like the "M1 Carbine" looks of the Mini.
A local gunsmith will do a trigger job for $35.
I ordered a glass bed kit from Brownell's for $25.
I don't plan on shooting it with a scope, and yes, it is a blast to shoot.
At 25 yards, I got <1" groups with Wolf or Winchester.
At 100 yards, the groups were closer to 6".
(Open sights, off of sandbags.)
And, in all fairness to the gun, I could barely see the 2" target dot at 100yds.
After the bedding and trigger job, I think the gun will be acceptable for <100 yard shooting.
As you said, the gun is more accurate than me.
I like the gun, and I like Ruger products in general.
30rd mags can be found for around $30 each, and I don't feel like I will need more than 3 or 4.
If you are willing to "tweak" on your mags, you can get 30rd mags for $10 -12.
Remember, the hunt is half the fun.