I've got an SKS, and it was my first rifle. Ammo is relatively cheap (about 1,200 rounds for just under 300 dollars) and you have to order it in. I haven't much experience with CZ but I have been looking into one of their bolt action .22's. The SKS is loud, ugly, and has the off slam-fire, but I personally have never had this happen. The SKS is easy to maintain so long as you clean it down after each outting. The SKS is good, reliable, tough, and ugly. The only downside I've ever had with the rifle is that a round mis-fed into the chamber and got caught between the bolt and the aft of the barrel. A quick manual pulling of the pin and the problem was solved. I personally recomend the SKS, but wear ear protection.