Quoted:
This would do better in AR discussion.
I really don't understand the lack of ejection port cover.
OP, that is a good looking setup. I didn't know they had a 1/8 barrel. Does it have M4 feed ramps?
The dust cover has not proven to be an issue for me. I just tracked back from Tx. to Ca and shot several areas, and even used the rifle to hunt 'yotes with. I had serious winds in 2 places, and sand was flying like I was in a blast booth! The action was never slowed, and it did not load up. One session was 550 rounds over several hours, no cleaning during shooting. No issues. Same with the forward assist. In basic, if you were ever seen utilizing a forward assist, the CO would have you strip the rifle on the spot, and inevitably he would find some kind of dirt or powder debris in there, and you were up the creek, and would spend the rest of the day stripping and cleaning every gun he could find for you.
I have been very happy with the 15 sport, it is out of the box ready to go, and I like how there was no monkeying around necessary. No need to post a pic, you have all seen a bone stock rifle before!!! Also, as of yet it has proven to be an easy to feed animal; it has not rejected any ammo, from Federal to Winchester to Wolf with the polymer coating. (No laquer, the newer stuff with the teflon like coating.)