A $500 AR ???

Yes, Thats what the S&W M&P 15 Sport (with a $709 MSRP) has been seen going for locally at places like Cabela's, Academy, and the likes... +\- $100

While this is not your standard off the rack Mil-Spec AR, it does have some potential for the right
customer. There is no forward assist, no dust cover, and the lower is a bit different. The barrel is also not chrome lined (It has a melonite treatment) and is 4140 steel with a 1:8 twist. However, it still does take 30 round mags and its is chambered for 5.56 so it cant be all bad.

Specifications and features:
S&W M&P 15 Sport semi-automatic rifle
5.56mm NATO caliber
16" barrel
1:8" twist
5R rifling
30-round detachable PMAG magazine
Chromed gas key and bolt carrier
6 position telescopic stock
4140 steel barrel with Melonite finish
7075 T6 aluminum receiver with hard coat black anodized finish
Adjustable A2 post front sight
Adjustable dual aperture rear sight
35" overall length extended
32" collapsed
Weighs 6.5 pounds
Made in the USA

From my limited fondling it looks like a fairly well made rifle, and it also has a lifetime warranty. Yes, the snark is prevalent on the internet, and the 15.com fanboys are gonna laugh at you. I saw one comment on a forum that said "looks like S&W is racing Bushmaster to the bottom of the barrel".... Ok... Thats funny.

All of that aside, this seems like it would fit the bill nicely for a consumer who would never be anything more then a casual AR owner... Its a gun for the hobbyist and at a hobbyist price. For the casual gun owner (or the gamers who want to start slinging lead) that just wants something to pull out of the closet a couple of times a year to go punch holes in paper, this might be a great way to get into the AR game. Not to mention that for the $1,000 entry price you are looking at spending to get a mil-spec AR you could get one of these and a dedicated .22 lr AR. Something to think about for the guy that just wants a range toy.