Quoted:
New to the AR world.  My local dealer has 2 rifles i am considering.
Both, by the way, are post ban versions since I live in the great state of New York  (long island to be more specific).

I was looking at an S&W M&P15OR - optics ready version with no sights from the factory.  However, the dealer is adding a CCA carring handle and a non-folding front sight to attach to the small rail on the top of the gas block.
This seems to be a post ban state version since it has no flash supressor like the pictures on the S&W website.

For roughly the same price, he also has a Bushmaster M4 carbine  (post ban version of course).
This has the typical fixed front sight (A2 style, I believe you guys call it) and removable carry handle.

It seems people on this forum prefer the quality of the S&W over the Bushmaster but i kinda like the look of the fixed front sight.

BTW, if I add any optics in the future, it will probably be an inexpensive red dot an I would probably swap it back and forth with the iron sights.

Thanks for your input!!!