Cleaning Recommendations

[Scout88]

To what extent should I clean my AK after shooting a few hundred rounds? Is running a few patches with Hoppe's cleaner through the barrel sufficient ? Does using the wire brushes regularly put any wear on the barrel ? I know that the AK is very durable, and low maintenance, but how often should I do a complete tear down, and thorough cleaning, oiling, greasing, etc? Is there any published info on cleaning methods available on the net?

[Heavy Metal]

Anytime you shoot corrosive ammo or any ammo you suspect as being corrosive, you shoul do a COMPLETE teardown and cleaning the very same day. Pay close attention to the piston/boltcarrier(clean piston with a brass bristled kleen-bore toothbrush), boltface, bore and chamber, gas tube(clean with 12guage bore brush and swab dry) and the gas block(where the front of the gast tube locks in) and rear sight base(the metal block the piston first passes thru when you replace the bolt carrier, it has the little lever attached to it.)

For corrosive, use shooters choice on the bore/chamber, gas tube and gas block(clean g-block with q-tips, just don't get the head stuck in the gas port)(repeat three times over 3 days(once per day)). Flush the rest with G-96 aerosol or Break-free or Tetra. I lube up with Tetra.

For non-corrosive, same procedure except you can use break free/tetra or g-96 instead of shooters choice and not be as picky.

If you are not sure, strip your rifle and examine the inside of the gas tube each day for a week. Rust starts here first.

By all means, give it a bore/chamber cleaning with a phospor-bronze(brass bristled) bore brush. It is the best one for your bore and will not hurt it a bit! Just don't let your cleaning rod rub on the inside of the bore, especially at the muzzle. Q-tips are good for cleaining out the trigger group. Generously lube the bolt, bolt carrier, hammer, trigger, disconnector and recoil spring assembly. Lightly lube the mag catch and spring and run a lightly oiled patch thru the bore followed by one stroke of a dry patch to leave a very light protective coating. Do not oil the gas block, gas tube or piston unless you are planning on storing the rifle for a long time. I have developed these AK cleaning procedures over a 12 year peroid and used to be an Aromrer in the Army. DO NOT BE AFRAID OF BRASS BRUSHES ON AN AK!!!!! Stay away from stainless steel brushes on anything though!

H.M.

[56s]

What do you mean when you say that your gun is stamped together in some places preventing you from doing a proper cleaning?

Your AK will come apart and give you total access to all areas that require cleaning without any special tools.

Clear the rifle, remove the receiver cover, pull the carrier with bolt reward and lift out. Remove the upper hand guard/gas tube by rotating the small arm on the right side of the rear site and lift it up and out.

You now have complete access to your rifle for cleaning.

Brush it, scrub it and lube it well.

Have fun!

Take care, OUT in Vegas!

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56s

[Heavy Metal]

PUSH THE BUTTON ABOVE THE BASE OF THE BUTTSTOCK! LIFT UP ON THE TOP PIECE AT THE SAME TIME! You can strip one of these babies blindfolded without tools real easy like! Also, check this url http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/7719/ak47/ak47disassembly.html


[This message has been edited by Heavy Metal (edited 10-03-1999).]

[White Devil]

My problem is that I want to fully disassemble my AK, but since they're stamped together in places it's hard to do it without the proper tools. I've read all the field-stripping advice on this page, but feel it to be a little incomplete. Any advice? I guess I'm mainly worried about not being able to put it back together.

[White Devil]

Well, I guess I meant to say that inorder to change out the trigger-mechanism it seems like you might need a special tool (I don't think I want to try a screw driver because it might scratch the gun). "Stamped" was a poor choice of words to describe what I meant. Certain areas have rivets, not ordinary screws. If I wanted to replace the trigger-mechanism, for instance, I would have to take apart some rivets (as far as I know, I could be wrong. I've had very little instruction on field-stripping weapons). I know how to do routine maintenance, but as far as installing a new grip, stock, or trigger, it looks a little intimidating since I have no idea how to do it. The grip and stock have screws located nearby, and I would assume that all I'd need to do is unscrew them. Forget about routine cleaning, my point was that to COMPLETELY disassemble, you need a way of taking out rivets. If i'm wrong, please correct me. I am learning a tremendous ammount of useful info on this sight, and you are all very helpful. Thanks, and please continue being patient with me.

[56s]

Hello White Devil,

Getting the trigger parts is also very easy. Look inside you guns receiver and you will see retaining wires that hold the pins in place. Just remove these and the pins will come out and you can remove the parts that you desire.

As for removing the wood;
what kind of gun do you have?
The buttstock should just slide out once the screws are removed. To remove the handguard wood, first remove the entire upper handguard from the gun. Next place the rear of the gas tube in a vice and then you should be able to twist the upper hand guard wood off.
To remove the lower wood, raise or lower the small arm near the front of the lower hand guard and push the sleeve forward and the wood will come off.

Good luck and feel free to ask all the questions you like!

Take care, OUT in the Mojave!

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56s

[This message has been edited by 56s (edited 10-03-1999).]

[Heavy Metal]

My advise is if it ain't broke, dont fix it! If you must experiment, go to delta press and buy a Duncan Long book or something which will help you do it right and avoid the heatbreak of gunisbrokeitis!

[Mr. Inbetween]

Just what is the ak tinkerer's bible?

[jeffer]

I never felt the need to completly break down an AK. A standard cleaning kit and a small brush is all it takes. Don't forget the gas port. If you really want to take it down, go to a gun shop ie gunsmith to get a rundown on how to get it right. Not saying you don't know how to do it but when in dought----happy shooting.