Hello all, I am new to the forums here. I purchased my first AR a few months back and have decided to do a little customization to it. As it sits now it is a completely stock M&P 15 Sport II.

I am not a fan of the carbine length handguards and i'm looking to change it to a mid-length. I know this requires more than just replacing the handguard so that is where my dilemma comes in.

What brands should I look and and which should I avoid? I am not looking for top of the line parts, this is just a shoot couple times a month gun that ill probably put 3,000 rounds or less through a year.

The parts I know that I will need, let me know if I am missing any parts, that I am looking for brand suggestions are:

Barrel
Handguard
Gas Block
Gas Tube

I plan to keep the rest of the upper stock unless I have to replace more parts due to changing the length of the gas system.

Thanks for the help.

Check out this handguard, it may work for you. AR-15 Extended Drop-in Quad Rail Handguard FSP Cutout – Monstrum Tactical

It might be more cost effective to find a complete upper with the specs you want.

Just a thought.

Wait... you want to change the complete gas system just to change the hand guard length? You can simply free float the barrel and put a mid length or rifle length free float tube on it without changing the barrel and the gas system.

If you really want to change the gas system too, buy a new upper the way you want it.

If you wanted to keep the A2 post and still get a mid length hand guard, you could go with Troy charlie or delta rail. I think Daniel Defense makes a version also. Both versions float the barrel as they attach to the barreI nut. I have the delta and it works great but it is a little heavy. Easy to install also.