Don't worry about the optics or furniture that comes stock; I'll probably change that out soon anyway. My budget ceiling is $750
Right now I'm leaning toward the M&P. I don't care at all if there's no forward-assist, and the lack of a dust cover isn't that big of a deal to me. I'm also okay with melonite vs chrome lining. It doesn't matter to me if the twist rate is 1:8 or 1:9. And since these things can be had for about $600, that would leave more money for a red dot and extra mags.
Based on those two statements from geniusiknowit in his initial post, I'm
assuming the $750 hard budget is for the rifle, and that the intent is to add optics / make minor upgrades on a separate budget later - OP correct me if this is wrong. The one immediate upgrade I'd make to the Sport is spending $25 to get heat shielded handguards on it. Otherwise, it's GTG out of the box.
I read your background, and that's your training. There's alternatives. I'm not making an egregious claim that HD ARs are inferior and should never be utilized. A tactical length shotgun, and a variety of shells, will rarely NOT be adequate inside a home.
John, please also understand that I'm not opposed to shotguns for HD either. Probably kinda obvious with the comments about getting my 870P stock fitted
. In fact, on an even tighter budget, I'm a big proponent of Plain Jane, US made, pumps. As you state, they're almost always more than adequate to do the job. The low price of reliable basic models leaves funds for fitting & practice shells.
On the AR-15 side, I suppose I should expound upon my reasoning. I've seen folks with no shooting background take to AR-15s quickly. Once they get past the loud report, the low recoil makes them easy. Very good stock sights help as well. I've also seen folks with extensive backgrounds with traditional hunting rifles & shotguns take to AR-15s quickly. For those folks, the sound and the recoil aren't the problem, but the looks. Once they get past the looks that group also takes quickly to the great irons, and realize that rifle is actually comfortable even though it feels a little different. Much as I wish I could credit Eugene Stoner with those great sights, I can't. Starting with the the '03 A3; and tracing through the Garand, to the M14, to the M16; it's pretty clear where the sights came from. I guess about 100 years of development doesn't hurt.
UGA, if you can recommend a quality red-dot to go along with the Sport, that won't break the $700 hard budget the OP has, I encourage you or other readers to do so. The only thing I know about optics is that for a $700 budget, it's hard to include one.
I can't make a
recommendation if the optic must be included at the $750 hard budget. I can
suggest, based on reviews from other members here whom also have known backgrounds, that the OP look at the Vortex StrikeFire for $150. I'd still recommend using the funds for other things: $25 handguard upgrade already mentioned, a light & mount, spare mags, and AMMO. But as you say John,
...but that's MY home. The OP needs to make his own distinctions.
That may be the best advice in the thread.
OP you've seen some views here that are at times complimentary, and at other times divergent. As John says, make your own distinctions. Evaluate what everyone here has posted, and figure out what fits your situation. As the sages here say - it's your gunfight, none of us will be there to fight it for you.