I changed out the hand guard right from the get go with a Strike Industries Viper (which has a heat shield).The J-89 V2 compensator (also Strike Industries) I installed reduces recoil 61% (did alot of research before purchasing) but gives a big blast on both sides of the muzzle break.That's what melted my range bag not the barrel leaning on it. Shoot from my Hoppes rifle rest now...
I picked up the viper stock the day I got the rifle and the new viper handguard yesterday. (Stock has the red QD but the handguard is black/black.) I figured it was a cheap enough replacement and had the heat shield so why not. Plus the Mlok might be handy. Didn't care for the typical Magpol stuff so I hope this works out as well as the reviews I read. As I can only use it at the range I don't plan to put anything else on it and I'm not into the tacticool thing. Functional and nice looks.
Don't know if I'll put a brake on the M&P15 but I did put one on my SKS for the kids as they like to shoot that but didn't like the kick. Now I stand behind the shooter rather than beside them. Makes quite the noise. You can feel the concussion wave.
