I have the old one with the cheap trigger. I clipped the trigger return spring and polished the sear engagement. For the cheek piece I used a strip of camping pad and electrical tape for a riser.
It is very accurate, possibly my most accurate rifle and would be for sure if it had a slightly lighter trigger.
I don't see how you could be disappointed for the money, free in your case. In mine it was 250 bucks. 250 bucks doesn't buy much of anything anymore, and I certainly enjoy it for what it is.
Perfect loaner and bad weather gun and would highly recommend it to the casual hunter and shooter on a budget (99% of my friends).
EDIT this rifle is the reason a sporterized milsurp is obsolete.
If you want something nicer I would try to trade out of it. I wouldn't buy one for more than 200 bucks because i have no use for them aside from what I mentioned above.
It still amazes me I can get something to launch cheap bullets so accurately for so little money. 20 years ago you would have to put money into rifle to shoot this good for what amounts to a minimum wage paycheck.
HB