I've heard the front handguard on M&P sports are kinda thin and easy to heat up but otherwise are fine. You could certainly buy something way worse for even twice that.
I did that. Bought something worse for twice that. A stainless mini-14. I don't regret it, it's a fine gun, I love the M-14 ish action. Cleaner, tougher. But the MP is a bit more accurate, and fun to shoot. A pain in the ass to clean compared to the mini, though.
I've heard the front handguard on M&P sports are kinda thin and easy to heat up but otherwise are fine. You could certainly buy something way worse for even twice that.
I did that. Bought something worse for twice that. A stainless mini-14. I don't regret it, it's a fine gun, I love the M-14 ish action. Cleaner, tougher. But the MP is a bit more accurate, and fun to shoot. A pain in the ass to clean compared to the mini, though.
If Minis cost half what they did and didn't have stupidly expensive mags I'd argue they would be a better intro rifle than ARs.
Yes, they are pricy. But this is really the kind of ranch rifle that is tough as hell.