I know this is a SW forum. I have a MP22 and MP9, so I am partial to SW...

Don't know if anyone has objective advice, LGS has new stag model 3 for 780, which is a pretty aggressive price.

Wondering if others looked at Stag, or other brands prior to purchasing SW. The sport had looked to be the best bang for the $, but IDK if spending 100, 200, 400 more gets you anything more.

The main differences.

The stag has a chrome lined barrel with 1/9 twist rate. A forward assist and dust cover. No "iron" sights.

The sport has a melonite treated barrel with 1/8 twist rate. No forward assist or dust cover. Has "iron sights".

The stag would probably better compared with the s&w optics ready model as they have the same features listed above.

Both are good imho.

For more money you could get a piston operated AR instead of a gas operated one.
S&W makes all kinds of different AR configurations, I think somewhere around 17 different models.
If you look at them and the listed msrp's you can get a good feel for what you are getting for the different prices.

I have seen the S&W OR at gunshows for a little less than the price you have for the Stag. Stag does have the plus package for $100, which checks off all the mil-spec boxes, if you are looking for that.

I do believe no matter what you buy you will be happy. I happen to really like the Sport. Its biggest attraction is the barrel. It is super accurate for the price. But thats my opinion! Get ready for the EBR disease, it affects us all. (EBR= evil black rifle...lol)

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Grover Oathkeeper

I am sure someone has already posted this somewhere, but what is the diff on the optics ready that makes it cost more?

Can I not mount optics on the sport? Sorry for this newbie/redundant question.

The Sport does not have the forward assist or the dust cover, so they save money there. I think the biggest cost savings though comes from using melonite to treat the barrel. The melonite treatment process treats the barrel inside and out, in one process. Chrome lined barrels go through a couple processes. They chrome line the inside of the barrel and then parkerize the outside. Both chrome lining and melonite harden the barrel and provide protection against corrosion and heat.

You can mount optics on the Sport, but it has the solid front sight post that you may notice when looking through your optic. The optics ready carbines do not come with any sights on them.

I really like my Sport but I am also looking for something with a 20" barrel on it. I am looking at a used colt match target and a Stag model 4, both with 20" heavy barrel. I know people that have a Stag, in fact one friend has 3 Stags and he loves them and swears by them for reliability and accuracy. 3/4 inch groups at 100 yards all day long, with some 1/2 inch as well.
I don't think you could go wrong with another S&W or a Stag. It depends on what you want to do with it.