Thinking about this a little more, I don't think it's fair to the carbine to compare it to the SKS. The carbine fires a modified pistol cartridge, and was originally designed for a defensive role, not offensive. The troops in WW2 could maximize the effectiveness of the carbine as they were in battles that were close-up. Also, there was a lot of urban warfare, and the carbine excelled because it was lightweight, held more rounds than the Garand, and was easily manipulated when clearing buildings. Then, you have Korea, where the distances involved were at the upper end of the carbines' effectiveness. Add to it the thick clothes the Communists wore, and no wonder no one liked the carbine.
In other words, I would not discount the carbine at ranges out to 200 yards. Past that, and I would have to still say the SKS. But, for house and building sweeps, I would take the carbine first. JMHO