All SGLs are saiga conversions done professionally up to russian mill-spec standards (minus select fire) by Arsenal who is the biggest name in quality AK variants here in the US. Saigas are produced by Izhmash, who is the biggest name in quality AK variants in the world. Simply put you will not find a better AK variant without getting a milled receiver which ups the price by about $1000.
I would imagine that if you fire 1000+ rounds through it fully auto in succession that the heat resistant hand guard would start to melt. But long before that, a wood stock would catch fire, an aluminum rail would be too hot to touch, etc... The stock Arsenal guards are as good as it gets if your looking to disperse heat.
I have never heard of a case in which someone received an Arsenal AK that had canted sights, canted gas block, or stock wobble. My SGL-21 does have a very slight mag wobble, but thats probably because I literally tried to break the Arsenal Bulgarian circle 10 mags out of the mag well to make sure I could rely on their quality. They passed with flying colors btw.
The paint job is the only thing that im not impressed with by Arsenal. They kinda went cheap on it. It seems like every time I drop it or it falls from its rest position beside my couch it has a new scratch... But its only cosmetic and does not interfere with its function. If that is a problem to you, you can just get it professionally parkerized.
Im am sure you will be happy with your purchase. The only other tip I can give you is; Buy quality accessories to put on your quality rifle. If you have any more questions, Ill be more than happy to help.
EDIT:
Didn't see your posts about warsaw and collapsible stocks.
Im 5'10" and the warsaw stock fits me fine. The only reason Im considering changing over to a collapsible stock is because I put a Krebs rear sight receiver rail on it because I like my optics closer to my eye since that increases the objective diameter of the optic. And it is impossible to get a proper cheek weld on a mounted optic with the factory stock. Thus I am looking into options for a riser to get a better cheek weld. Im currently looking at the magpul CTR stock with a 3/4" riser. Not 100% sure how it will work out so I can say anything good or bad about it at the moment. My suggestion is if the warsaw stock fits and your not planning on mounting an optic, stick with the warsaw length stock.
If you do decide to go with a collapsible stock for some reason, I would suggest staying away from Tapco. I havent seen their collapsible stocks fail yet, but I have seen their mags and their folding stocks fail. They do make a great trigger though. Also, I would suggest staying away from the Mako collapsible stock... My only basis for this claim is that its made from plastic, I have neither seen nor heard of any of their products failing, but if one were to, I would imagine it would be this one. I would go with a aluminum VLTOR collapsible stock adapter since I have only heard great reviews... Rock solid they say. Once you get that, find a reputable AR stock maker and find on that fits your budget and ergonomic needs.
Also do not underestimate the versatility of folding stocks, they are used alot on AK platforms for a reason. Their is a way to piece together a folding & collapsible stock, but im still looking into how to do that or if its even worth it.
