However, I would still say that a good import AK (in 7.62x39) would be the best choice.
To recap:
Better trigger
Much better parts, magazine and accessory availability
Most are 1/2 the price of a CSA Vz.
With Hitlery and the Kleptocrats likely coming to power next year, we can count on "assault weapons," magazine and ammo bans coming up, AKs and ARs are probably going to be first on the chopping block for bans. Also, the money you save as opposed to a CSA Vz can be put towards stockpiling magazines and ammo -- 3,000 rounds of good Com Bloc ammo (e.g. Golden Tiger) can be had for @ $700. Buy it cheap and stack it deep, now, before it's too late.
The thing is, being less known/infamous than AKs and ARs, the Vz seems to escape the scrutiny of the gun banners (e.g. in Canada and Commiefornia). Even if AKs are banned, you could probably get a VZ later on, at least for a while.
Only AKs worth buying for 1/2 the price, and even then more than that, of a CSA VZ58 are the Zastava Yugo and Cugir WASRs. But in the current market, $700 is entry level here. The Yugos are far superior to WASRs IMO, but lack a chrome-lined barrel if that is important to you.
To note, there are some good to very good condition Chinese SKSes currently available at $400, and I think some of the new unissued Yugo SKSes remain available @ $500. Magazines are integral to these guns leaving you needing cheaper stripper clips rather than magazines, and SKSes are typically more accurate than AKs as well. On a budget, looking for a semi-auto 7.62x39 rifle, SKSes are tough to beat right now.
VZ58s are hands down a better carbine than the SKS could ever be in that role -- and I think the VZ58 to be overall much more versatile a firearm than the SKS while maintaining a sufficient level of accuracy to utilize the potential of the 7.62x39 round at all typical ranges.
As far as utility goes as a general purpose rifle and for an average specimen of each, I don't see either the SKS or AK being definitively better than the other. As a combat long arm on the modern battlefield, the AK is generally superior and always superior if including all variants and irrespective of cost...
If wanting to modernize the SKS with new stock, extended mags, etc, bear in mind you're triggering 922r, which involves a fair bit more cost and considerations and is generally more easily done on other weapon systems -- and really only makes sense for the SKS if you're in a location where you have restrictions limiting you to the SKS or you just really want an optimized SKS for whatever reason...
High end AKs vs SKSes: AKs are generally superior, but 2-3x the cost.
Low end AKs vs SKSes, SKS are generally superior dollar for dollar, as modern day sub $500 AKs are very low quality.
Mid prices on each, see earlier comments.
AK trigger is really only definitively better if you opt for an aftermarket IMO -- yes, the standard TAPCOs are an aftermarket trigger (and a good one relative to OE) and is superior to most OE triggers which are really only found on AK pistol imports where no 922r is required... Polishing OE triggers/fcgs brings them close to tapco levels, but overall manufacturing precision seems to be higher on tapcos if not the material quality...
And that AK trigger comes with the penalty of substantially worse safety, ergos, and weight, among other drawbacks already noted.
Any gun ban will likely be feature based rather than model/list based. I think the gun banners learned their lesson w/ all the loophole issues when they've decided to ban by list in the past... The VZ58 will not be immune under a feature ban.
I do not think that ammo will be successfully banned for any length of time; issue is more one of temporary scarcity due to panic, or restricted supply due to legal requirements, executive orders, or global events. And yes, there could be permanent price increases, greater than inflation or currency market related increases, depending on causes/events driving price increases.
Personally, I'd get a 1-2k rounds on hand for immediate/anticpated training and range time needs for the first year of ownership/use (500-1000 rounds for a weekend carbine course is normal). Nothing's worse than a new gun, but not having any ammo for it to shoot. So having ammo on hand in a given caliber before you buy a gun in that caliber is advisable -- and don't buy ammo at gun ranges unless they require it; prices can sometimes make outrageous gun show pricing look modest! And if they require you to buy ammo there, get your required fix on that first visit and look for a new range.
And then put 2-3x that initial amount of ammo away for a reserve to allow you to continue to train past year 1, time future buys for when prices are low(er), use the ammo to sell/trade for other firearms-related things you might want or need when ammo prices are high, and always have at least some emergency supply.
Basically, whatever you plan to spend on your new rifle, double it so that you have a budget to put that same amount of money into it again for mags, ammo, spare parts, optics, or upgrades to furniture, parts, etc.
And take your initial budget, and triple it if you're looking to receive professional training/coaching. Look to gun clubs in your area, and you'll often find local fellow shooters willing to coach you for no to low cost. The appleseed events look pretty great too, are affordable, and appear to be quite similar to training I was fortunate to receive as a kid through 4-H and Boy Scout Shooting Sports as well as Hunter/Firearm Youth Education put on by the local rural sheriff's office and NRA club/range. Have been wanting to attend an appleseed for a refresher on that style of shooting (and to do it w/ an M1 carbine actually but may settle for a 10/22 M1 carbine clone build)...
I still stand behind stripped AR15 lower receivers (and parts kits, including buffers kits and stocks, to match if your budget allows) being a very prudent investment right now if you can find the $100 or less needed for the purchase. Effectively and legally, each stripped lower is the "firearm" and the primary component of government concern.
At least for present day, I don't see any retroactive gun bans occurring and/or being enforceable at the national level, or any president willing to spend the political capital necessary to pass, implement, and enforce such draconian policies... So anything in your safe by January of next year, should be able to remain in your safe for at least a few more presidential elections... State-level politics are a different matter and with the US supreme court in so much flux especially for 2A cases, state-specific requirements/landscapes could change quickly and drastically, but quite unlikely here in Texas but more so elsewhere.
