I have been shooting since the 60s, SHot the old A1 back in the day and loved it! ! Now getting the bug to add a AR to my family . I have been looking at the Ruger AR556 and the S&W Sport ! Leaning more on the Sport.
I am searching the threads on the Sport so sorry if this is a repeat ?
Can you add a Red Dot/Scope and still use the iron sights? I have my 10/22 set up that way and it is fine for me!
Will most AR goodies fit? I assume it is the same platform ?
What brand magazines seem to work best? I am not a fan of plastic mags so metal preferred !
How is the trigger? You guys do alot of trigger upgrades?
The usual places to buy the goodies like Brownells ,Midway ?
Thanks

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9mm Shield

Yes - you can co-witness (absolute or lower 3rd) with a red-dot.

All standard AR-15 parts will fit the Sport II.

Magpul PMags work great - Gen 2 or 3 doesn't matter. I don't have any experience with metal mags, but I suspect that any quality mag will work fine.

Stock trigger is standard milspec - nothing great, but fully functional. I haven't found a reason to change it on my Sport, but new builds are getting polished and coated versions of the milspec. These break a little cleaner and have less grit in the action.

Parts are available everywhere - Midway, Brownells, Palmetto State Armory, Academy, etc.

I'm the original AR noob around these parts. :-P

Get the Sport II you can't go wrong for the $ spent, and yes all standard AR parts fit.

Both good rifles. In the average civilian marksman's hands, the practical result will be similar between the two entry level priced rifles. Know that there are some construction and material difference between the two.

Yes. You can buy an optic and co-witness it with the iron sights.

Yup.

Magpul PMags have been the most reliable. Even though you're not a fan of polymer body magazines, you should give them a try.

If not, I have many D&H 30 round GI style aluminum magazines with magpul followers that work well.

The triggers in most entry level AR-15's is a standard single stage combat trigger. It will do.

Yup. They come in a wide price range. Usually I'll advocate a Geissele or Timney. I've also run the less expensive $100 Rock River 2-stage trigger with great success.

Palmetto State Armory... Primary Arms... etc.

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-John

Thanks everyone for the GREAT advice ! If all goes well Ill get the Sport tomorrow ! my LGS just got the Sport in. Hopefully 2 Sports as I am meeting my Brother in law there ,we are planning on each getting one . BIG question does this disease of buying guns and goodies ever stop? I have been a junkie since the 60s :O is there a cure? Helpppppppppppppppppppppp

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9mm Shield

No known cure, it's correctly termed BRD.....black rifle disease.

Enjoy the Sport, great rifles for the money.

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Still carrying my S&W 642