Well, after puttering and experimenting for the last couple months, I have arrived at the final version for my Kalifornistan compliant "Featureless" Saiga 7.62x39.  Three things are the major changes.

First change:  Went back to the factory stock.  K-Var Nato length ergonomics were not even close to factory.  Besides, I like the feel.  Much like my M1 Carbine.

Second change:Originally, I was using only iron sights, not really being a red dot kind of guy.  After trying and sighting in my vintage Tasco "Accu Point" 1X red dot, and seing it shoot 3 MOA with much easier target acquisition, I was sold.  It now wears the red dot permanently.

Third change.  While I like the cooling of the Tapco saiga forend with the aluminum heat shield I fabricated, I really prefer the feel of the Saiga factory handguard.  Since I don't need it for 922R, I went back to the factory handguard.  I modified the heat shield from the Tapco and put it in the factory handguard.  I have done this on earlier Saigas.  While the factory handguard does not cool quite as well as the Tapco, it does not get as hot as quickly as it does without the heat shield.  I had to modify the top of the factory handguard to allow me to still use the Chi-Com Type 56 vented gas tube and top handguard  It came out sweet, reminding me of the handguard set up on the Lee Enfield No. 5, MK1 jungle carbine!  See the second picture below for how it fit.

Major components recap:
-Tapco G2 double hook FCG, modified to work on stock Saiga.  Nice 2.5 pound, smooth trigger pull (& 922R)
-Tapco Gas Piston (922R)
-Tapco polymer mag followers (922R)
-Bulgarian RPK sling
-AKM 1000 meter leaf sight, replacing the Saiga 300 meter.
-US made Tactical Tri-Delta comp muzzle brake, threaded 14x1mm L (922R)
-Buffer Technologies AK recoil buffer
-Vented Chi-Com type 56 AK vented gas tube.  

The vented tubes I have used before.  It compensates somewhat for the AK's chronically over gassed design. When coupled with the buffer and the Tri-Delta brake, it cuts felt recoil down to the level of my M4gery with a brake and H Buffer.

Nice!!!


Threaded muzzle isn't a Cali thing?

That rifle is so much less lethal than an AK.

Threaded muzzles and brakes are legal in Cailfornication.  Flash hiders, though, can be a felony....seriously.

The stock handguard with an aluminum liner actually works pretty well. I went out to BLM land today and did a 120 round mag dump - as fast as I could pull the trigger and change mags.  The barrel was smoking (from the oil on it), but the handguard just got warm.  Definitely an improvement.

For some reason I really like what you've done there OP. Nice work.

Thanks

The ergonomics aren't as bad as one would think.  It is way better than a Solar Tactical paddle on a full restoral.  The weapon I shoot most is my USGI 6 digit Inland M1 Carbine, so I like the ergonomics of the Saiga factory stock.  The modified Tapco G2 double hook FCG gives a sweet, smooth 2.5 pound pull, despite the stock Saiga trigger linkage.  This is so sweet to shoot, I suspect it will pass up the M1 Carbine as my "most fired" weapon.  I am going to start loading the LEE tumble lube 160 grain cast with 18 grains of IMR 4198, so it will be really cheap, then.

I have paddles on my retro 20" AR build (602/SP1 clone) and PTR91 (HK91 clone).  They work OK.  I have a hammerhead grip on my M4gery, because with the tube, I can wrap my hand all they way around the grip. My Kalifornication "Featureless" compliant semi-autos.  With no "evil features" (pistol grip, collapsible stock, flash hider, flare/grenade launcher) I can use the more than 10 round magazines that I possessed in California prior to 1-1-2000.