Cleaning AK

[100 bullets]

Does anyone else clean inside the upper handguards gas tube. I have bought some used AK's. Even ones that look like they were clean, the inside of that tube and the end of the gas piston are coated with carbon.

 

[TrippHammer]

I never clean my AK's.
All my AK-47's & 74's are select fire & I shoot thousands of rounds thru them w/ out any carbon build up issues.
The tolerances on AK's is inheriently sloppy and is designed to fire in any condition.

If your the kind of guy who likes to run oil patches down your barrels and clean your guns inside and out then by all means go for it, but your AK wont
opperate any better or worse.

FWI
Most Communist Bloc firearms are built like a shit brick house and are designed with the most minimal up keep and service.

On the flip side all my M-16's, AR-10's & other Western designed select fire closed bolt machine guns are on a regular maintenance schedule. The tolarances on these rifles/machine guns are closer and needs a good cleaning after about 1000 rounds.

 

[Surly]

I use an old 12ga bore brush to get some of the carbon out. I don't use any oils or solvents though...just a straight brush. That's about all you'll need.

 

[mhpdblue]

I do not clean that area of the ak's I have owned or still own with great regularity unless its under two circumstances....the annual cleaning (lol) or I have shot corrosive ammo....


Like Tripphammer and Surly stated, Ak's are minimal-care weapons...

 

[Inkfidel]

+1...but, I do clean my guns after every range trip. I run a bore snake through the barrel a few times, and a few through the gas tube....or I use the 12ga bore brush and then just wipe down the piston. If theres some good carbon buildup on the gas piston I just scrape it off...wipe it clean and reassemble. The only exception is my AK105 clone in 5.45 which only sees corrosive ammo, in which case the muzzle brake comes off to soak while I clean the rest. No reason to overthink it...but an ounce of prevention...........

 

[AK-Karl]

Does anyone else clean inside the upper handguards gas tube. I have bought some used AK's. Even ones that look like they were clean, the inside of that tube and the end of the gas piston are coated with carbon.

Normaly not nessary, but it you are shooting corrosive ammo the barrel, gas tube & piston, muzzle brake, & bolt face needs a good soaking with Wendex.
Here is how to clean after shooting corrosive ammo.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/corrosive/index.asp

 

[dtom29]

Or you could come into the 21st century, spray it down with WD40/ CLP etc, scrub the bore with hoppe's when you get the chance, Spray the gas tube with Brakleen to get the WD40/CLp out and go to shooting. I know this will fall on deaf ears because the Black powder/WW1 way of cleaning is ingrained....:rolleyes

 

[AK-Karl]

Or you could come into the 21st century, spray it down with WD40/ CLP etc, scrub the bore with hoppe's when you get the chance, Spray the gas tube with Brakleen to get the WD40/CLp out and go to shooting. I know this will fall on deaf ears because the Black powder/WW1 way of cleaning is ingrained....:rolleyes

All that would be nice if it stopped corrosion but it doesn't.
No matter how clean you get it it will still corrode as long as the salt compounds are on the gun steel.
Oils or petroleum based products will not break down the corrosive salts and therefore are ineffective in cleaning or neutralizing the salt compounds.
If you take a little time to read the info in the link I posted you will see that removing the salt compounds from the steel is required to stop corrosion.
This is done by washing off the salt with water, soap & water, or a simple ammonia based window cleaner then clean as normal……:rolleyes
..
..
..

If you are still not a believer take a look at this link, it will break it down for you.
Get ready for a chemistry lesson.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews2006/alittlesalt/index.asp

 

[stenmon]

I only clean my AKs if I shoot corrosive ammo. And yes, oil based solvents will not do the job. Soapy water or windex is needed.

 

[dtom29]

Funny thing...I'm shooting multiple AK's, with Thousands of rounds of corrosive east German in 7.62, and surplus 5.45 through my Rifles. Real life experience says your full of BS. But then since you have never tried any other method what should I expect. By the way, the WD-40 does in fact Neutralize the salts and wash them away.

 

[Inkfidel]

Or you could spray this down your bore.....

 

[dtom29]

:lol
Yep, just what I said....Ancient methods, regurgitated by the ignorant. It’s ok guys, Just keep doing what you’ve always done…and relax,the earth is still flat.

 

[Surly]

By the way, the WD-40 does in fact Neutralize the salts and wash them away.

SAR did an issue with cleaning after shooting corrosive ammo. Hoppes 9 and WD-40 were confirmed as being able to neutralize corrosive salts. I can confirm the WD-40 as being able to do this. :thumbs_up