[chris in va]

My Sport has been stellar. S&W seems to have deleted the features you don't need and invested in a good trigger, barrel and design. 1500 rounds through mine, and I found a gentleman on another board with 4500 on his.

Here's my take, after talking in person with military guys and long-time AR owners.

The forward assist is unnecessary for general range use. If the round jams, forcing it in just makes it worse.

Dust cover is a take it or leave it, only gets used between firings.

Removeable trigger guard usually gets replaced with a more curved piece, which S&W has addressed.

The M203 cut on a civilian AR barrel is pointless (unless you like lobbing dummy grenades).

So in turn S&W made sure it has M4 cuts, staked/chromed gas key, internal/external Melonited 5R barrel, good removeable rear sight, crisp trigger and F-marked front sight.

The only thing I wish they had included is a heat shielded handguard, but those are inexpensive enough so not worried about it.