Front End Saiga Conversion

[Arkansas Bob]

I did the back end conversion on my Saiga a couple of years ago. The business end is still Saiga Sporter. I know I want to change the front sight base so it can accommodate a muzzle devise. Any advantage to changing the gas block/hand guard to traditional AK or Galil vs the longer Saiga handguard?

[Hizzie]

I actually prefer the Saiga length handguards. No real advantage to changing out the GB AFAIK.

ETA - take a look at the Carolina Shooter Supply AR style HG.

[jamesavery22]

The only reason I know of to change out the actual GB is to swap it with one that has the lug that a cleaning rod and bayonet uses.

I also prefer the Saiga length handguards. Only negatives of the actual Saiga hand guard is how it's mounted to the GB and it's not shielded. It will melt eventually and it's only attached to the GB by the 3mm pin. The HG will break before the pin since it's only plastic. That's a very small contact point. It will still take a bunch of abuse. Just not as much as other options.

For Saiga's I'm a big fan of the MI SS extended length hand guards. No mods needed, get to use the stock Saiga gas tube, and you get the extra length. Not cheap though.

Then all you have to do is figure out how to attach a muzzle device. Might get lucky and have a threaded barrel.

[Ouroborous]

Aside from whats been mentioned, the only real advantage I can think of is the ability to attach a light mount like the RS-Regulate BM-1 between the gas tube and the barrel

[Arkansas Bob]

I like the mentioned handguard options. Really like the traditional AK look as well. I have a threading kit I used on an SKS-M I picked up a few years ago. I'm assuming this would be adequate for the Saiga?

[Hizzie]

Aside from whats been mentioned, the only real advantage I can think of is the ability to attach a light mount like the RS-Regulate BM-1 between the gas tube and the barrel

No need for the BM-1 with say a simple polymer SGM quad rail.