The early Sport models with the melonite coated 5R rifling barrels were the really good rifles. I don't believe S&W are still putting these barrels on the Sport model any longer.
They have a really good reputation. Before the craziness they could be had for $600 some places on line, but usually around $650, which means they are back to normal. Woohoo.
From: http://www.kriegerbarrels.com/5_R_Rifling-c1246-wp6676.htm
The Obermeyer 5-R™ style rifling is simply a different style of rifling that has a more 'ramped', or angled transition from the groove to the land and back down from the land to the next groove. Our conventional 4 groove rifling has nearly parallel sides to the groove. The internet is full of information describing perceived benefits to the 5-R™ rifling over conventional styles, but most of this is comparing "apples to oranges" as they are usually comparing one manufacturer's "non 5-R™" to a different manufacturer's "5-R™" barrels. We have honestly seen no significant differences in accuracy or performance between the two styles of rifling when comparing our barrels.
I shoot with a couple of guys who have them, and they both just went and picked up their M&P 10s. Slings and furniture add-ons later they are both at 100% with their choices.
Local "builder" was said to have been super-pissed as the Wal-Mart here just started carrying the M&Ps and the Wyndhams-he actually was seen to be bitching at the sports counter guys nearly getting a disorderly conduct ticket. Lesson: People who charge 3x the going rate for comparable rifles HATE S&W/Wyndham/DPMS for one reason-lost business. Oh well.
Uh, sure, you have guys doing 15 bolt-ons to a Spikes/AMT/Xxx lower, and charging $1800 for it: we have a guy running a shop like that here in S. WII'm trying to think of a "comparable rifle" to a DPMS or Windham that could sell for 3x the price, but I'm not coming up with anything.
Uh, sure, you have guys doing 15 bolt-ons to a Spikes/AMT/Xxx lower, and charging $1800 for it: we have a guy running a shop like that here in S. WI
Out of curiosity, how many ARs do you have?
At any rate, the S&W sport is a good solid gun at a very good price. It is all the gun many want or need. Then there are the folks who want all the bells and whistles.
I have to echo Raindodger's post, my Sport with the 5R rifling is also very easy to clean. It is also much more accurate with comparable loads compared to my son's Palmetto State Armory AR with its 1 in 7" twist. My 1 in 8" 5R twisted Sport shoots even 40 gr bullets into MOA groups at 100 yards and is very accurate with 50 and 55 gr bullets. I haven't really tried the 60 gr and heavier bullets, but would anticipate they would shoot at least as well. I don't know how well the new Sports with the 1 in 9" twist since I don't know anyone shooting one.Well, I'll tell you one thing for sure about the 5R rifling. I've found that it cleans easier than a standard barrel. I use about half the patches to clean it than I do with other barrels with standard rifling. I suspect it is due to the 65 degree angle where the land intersects the actual bore/groove, rather than a standard 90 degree cut. The crud cleans out of that 65 degree angle easier than the 90. You will find people that say they're better and people that say they're not - that's what makes this country great I guess.
What WEG said about S&W not making a bad rifle - in my opinion he's right about that!
I do have an AR its an older Bushmaster its was made well before Remington took them
over its a good solid rifle, but I would like to pick up a second one for the wife, I like
the price of the sport I'm not into the 1500 AR thing ,
Thanks for all the info it helps