I was looking for an entry level AR and bought the original Ruger AR 556 a few years ago, and I've been completely happy with it. The rifle you're looking at has a mid-length gas system, while mine is carbine length. The MPR also has a free float hand guard and better trigger, so it's a step up from my rifle, which is pretty comparable to the S&W M&P Sport II model.
I'm pretty new to AR rifles, but I picked the Ruger at the time because of the generally positive reviews I read and the price point. At the time I was considering the most basic AR of all, a Norinco, but decided to spend a couple hundred dollars more for an American made rifle.
The other ones I looked at were Windham Weaponry and some of the lower end model Colts. I've heard some good things about the new Savage AR too. I'm pretty sure it would be hard to go wrong with any of them.
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