My suggestion would be to build an AR from scratch. Many people end up spending extra hundreds, maybe even thousands, on upgrades by the end of its life. Know what youre looking for, build what you want. Im a very AR guy (Ive only shot a bunch but dont own any yet). The nornico AR is a great place to start however I heard there are things that are off spec (Correct me if im wrong). Though chinese, it has amazing quality and great functionality! my friends broke last year, What broke you ask? it was the hammer. The hammer snapped. He wasnt even mad because that AR served him for a long time and provided a great amount of joy to him and with the price, he wouldn't complain. though the hammer is replaceable he just got another AR, and NEA, which leads to my next thought.
If you're looking into prebuilt AR's I would also suggest looking into the NEA 15 series of AR's. Made in canada, lifetime warranty! These seem like great AR's and for the price of $900 (on sale now) for a 14.5", you cant complain. Milbrooks tactical use these AR's for their carbine courses and such. The most catching part is that they are made in canada and parts are easy to find. I had an issue with my NEA barrel nut (wouldn't sit tightly on the NEA rail), NEA asked me to send a picture of the issue and within weeks they got me another nut (thats what she said).
Ive heard good and bad things about NEA's from people I know but instead of taking what you hear for granted, why not look into it yourself? NEA is still a relatively new company and still growing.
the Colt is a very good idea for a canadian setting. Their rifles have proven themselves for decades in the canadian forces. The defining features of the cold AR is mainly in the materials its made of. The chrome lined barrel, its tighter rifling, its ability to better withstand canadian winter conditions etc.
Dont know about the S&W so I cant put any imput on that.
