I am considering each of these rifles, but dont know much about the differences other than foward assist and dust cover.
Can anyone offer suggestions or have side by side comparison notes to share? Am I really giving up much if I choose the Sport other than assist and dust cover. Accuracy?

The main differences are that the Sport comes with sights, the OR doesn't. Also, the Sport barrel is melonite treated, where the OR has a chrome lined barrel. The Sport does not have the forward assist, the ejection port cover, or heat shields in the handguards, but the OR does.

A good set of back up sights for the OR is going to add at least another $100 to the price. If you don't mind the lack of forward assist and ejection port cover, then I would go with the Sport.

I've never cared for the standard carry-handle style rear and high front sights you'll get with the Sport, and changing them out looked to be a pain.

Getting the OR meant that I'd have to buy something extra, but I wouldn't be limited by what would fit, and in particular, the sights could be closer to the bore-axis. Adding fold-down front and rear "iron" sights means I can pop on a red-dot that's already co-axial with the iron sights, or swap it out for a scope of one type or another, depending on what I want to do with the gun at the time, keeping my options open.

Don't forget the OR also has the cut out in the barrel for the M203 launcher while the Sport has a bull barrel. Both are excellent rifles, so which ever you choose for whatever reasons you will not be sorry.

The Sport comes with a rear Magpul BUS, and you can add just about any optic to the Sport that you can add to the OR. If you are using a magnified optic over 3x power, the front sight is not seen, as the focal point of the optic is out farther in front of the optic than the front sight.

With a non-magnified red dot, shooting with both eyes open and focusing down range on the target, I don't even notice the front sight in the sight picture.

Forgot about that one.

Yep, both rifles are good. Now that the twist rate is the same, the barrel really comes down to chrome lined or Melonite.

I think the Sport has been selling a lot cheaper than the OR lately though, which isn't always the case. When I purchased mine, I could have purchased either one for the same price.

The Sport is $599 around here where the OR is going for $849

That's good prices..My OR is almost 2 years old and it was nearly $1000.00 I am glad I bought it though. Being in Florida I am happy to have the cover...The forward assist hasn't been needed but I think the Chrome Lined barrel with help down the road since i use it in harsh environments regularly... I have back up sights on mine but I haven't ever need them....

For me and my use, that right there makes it a no brainer... I would take the Sport all day long for a price difference like that.

This is my OR with Magpul MOE upgrades that include the MBUS Pro's.

$800 for the rifle
$180 for the sights
$115 for the Magpul stuff

One of the main attractions of the SPORT for me was the bull barrel. I just don't like the looks of that cut down band for the grenade launcher. Don't understand why it is there on a civilian weapon.

In my opinion, the Sport is the best value on the market. I have the OR but if I could go back, I would have saved myself a lot of money getting the Sport and not having to get sights after the fact. As for the dust cover, I don't think I've closed mine since I brought it home.

I have to admit that I am leaning towards the Sport, but the fixed frobt sight bithers me. I will use an optic of some sort on whichever I get. Probably a 3x9 or 2x7 but am unsure. I have 3x on my 15-22 and if I leave the front sight attached, it blurs the scope image. If it wasnt for the fixed front sight, I would have no question

If you already know that an A2 front sight post bothers you, then do not get the Sport. You know your preference. Buy what you want or you won't be happy.

It's that simple. It doesn't need to be complicated.

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-John

Agree, unless you are planning to put on a rail and free float the barrel... just to complicate things.

Sport. There's usually a $200 or more price difference between them around here. My gunsmith will switch out most gas blocks for around $30(minus parts), plus you'd get a rear sight. With a $560 price tag online, it's unbeatable.

Thanks guys. I will figure it out and let ya know when I get one.

Well, I got my Sport today. Looking forward to getting to the range. Need to find out what ammo it likes and then attempt to stock up on it. I think I am gonna like the Sport just fine.

Sport is just great, sites-shmites get good optical scope or red dot and that is all you need basically. I got Nikon scope and this rifle become amazingly accurate in results. Everything else is a meter of your taste, I like bipod and picatini handrail with vertcal grip.

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Guns ...

Yea, I am leaning towards the Nikon P-223 in 3x9, but the gun shop was sold out of em. Brought the Sport home and put a P-22 scope on that I had sitting around. It will work for the time being til I can get a dedicated 223 scope.
Bought a couple hundred rounds of Federal 55 fmj and American Eagle 55 fmj to try.

Go to Wideners Reloading and Shooting online. Look for Wolf Gold brass case copper FMJ. Buy by the case and be done with hunting down practice ammo.

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-John

I own the Sport, the OR was much more expensive. If I was set on the OR I would also look at the Magpul OEM version which has a better feel.
Geoff
Who is almost finished dressing his Sport 15 for the camera.

Try amazon, these days nobody waits for the local stores

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Guns ...

Sport. I have the Nikon 3x32 on mine, and the post is invisible. It's nice to know though that if things ever sour, I can throw on my carry handle and have a rock solid sight setup that'll take some real hell. I wouldn't mind having a flat top OR carbine though for a stablemate! Either way, you're gonna have one really nice rifle. And if you get the Sport and still hate the post, it's not too pricey to swap the A2 post for a low pro gas black.

As between the two, I would prefer the Sport. It is ready to go out of the box, and you can add a different handguard, optics, etc., later.

With the OR, it is not ready until you also get irons, at least.

To me, the FA and the DC are simply not necessary for the range/home- or self-defense roles.

If they tell me I have to go to the sandbox, they will give me a rifle with the FA and DC.

The Sport was a Black Friday item at Shooters of Jax. $539.99.
Geoff
Who bought his at $599.99 with no regrets.

Is the front sight visible when using a 3x optic like the vortex spitfire prism I am thinking about??