Saiga Barrel Components (5.45 vs .223)

[12gaugeTim]

Due to an unusual and obnoxious turn of events I have ended up with a spare set of front end conversion parts for a 5.45 Saiga. This includes the gas block, threaded Bulgarian front sight block, and throw lever front handguard retainer. For reference, all the components are identical to the ones shown in this image.

Are these compatible with a .223 Saiga as well? The diameters of the bullets are practically the same, so I'm hoping the barrels are made from a similar blank as well, or something like that. Sorry if this information already exists somewhere; I couldn't find any barrel diameters for those two particular calibers and rifles.

 

[jodavk]

I removed a severely canted FSG from an EAA Saiga .223 and put a Bulgarian FSG (like in your picture) on it. The barrel diameter was so much larger than the inside diameter of the FSG, that I had the Bulgarian FSG milled out to like .001" less than the barrel diameter. You need to mic the barrel diameter, then the inside diameter of the FSG that you want to install. Never messed with the gas tube. Good luck.