Originally Posted by
Beat Trash
There is a reason Colt does not make bargain rifles without dust covers.
Colt guns are made to the same standards as the guns made for the DOD contract. This is easy for them as they actually possess the TDP explaining how this is to be done.
Just because a gun has the same silhouette as a properly built AR15, doesn't mean it's built to the same category.
The S&W Sport is a good rifle, for what it is. If I had to chose between a Century Arms WASAR AK and a M&P Sport, I'd go with the Sport. Both are about the same price in my market area.
The S&W M&P15A would be my first choice of guns if I were not choosing from the what some here would call tier 1 guns (Colt, BCM, DD). It's a great recreational gun that could be pressed into hard usage service.
But if choosing between the M&P Sport and the M&P15A, go with the 15A.
Do a search for pricing on a Colt 6920 or a 6720. The current real world pricing difference between the S&W and the Colt can be less than $100. For a gun that could be a lifetime investment, buy quality and buy once.
With the limited price difference, I just can't buy into the concept of buying a "starter gun" with the intent of upgrading down the road. Buy a gun with sufficient quality that you can grow into the gun, not out grow the gun.