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IMO, the lack of a chrome lined barrel is certainly not a negative as far as the Sport is concerned.
Smith & Wesson uses the Melonite process in the Sport's barrel. It is not a process that adds or plates material onto the barrel surface but rather interacts with the barrel itself and makes for one heck of a nice surface, IMO. I've spent a few hours reading up on the process and haven't found anything negative about it from a consumer aspect. It is said to be as resistive to harsh environments, primers, etc. as is the chrome surface. As you indicated, the 5R barrel is more accurate and per the information I've read, the Melonite process makes it just as durable.
As I said before, I've spent time researching the Sport and aside from someone's personal opinion which I dismiss as just that, I've yet to find anything keeping it from being at the top of my list for a future purchase.
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