Clean the rifle extensively, no need to beat the crap out've the poor AK. Yes it can survive extensive abuse, but thats no excuse not to clean it just as religiously as any other rifle. Heres my proceedure.
Remove the dust cover, use a rag sprayed with brake cleaner to wipe the crap off
Remove the spring, spray said rag again and wrap it around the spring before dragging it through a few times.
Remove the bolt carrier, remove the bolt. Use a brush to knock some of the crap off the top off the gas piston. Use a ear swab to get the crap out've the nooks and crannies, remove the piston and set that aside. Wipe down the entire bolt carrier, especially the female receiver ends.(anyone got a better name?)
For the bolt, set it inside the rag, spray the crap out've it with brake cleaner and go to town. Scrub it everywhere, then wipe clean and add a drop of lube inside the bolt's firing pin channel.
For the gas tube use a boresnake, the 12guage one does it just fine. Gets it sparkling clean. Reassemble.
I dunno bout your barrel but mine has very deep grooves, so it gets extensive brushing and solvent swabs. Its tough to get totally clean patches after you've fired several hundred rounds in a day but keep on it. Give everything a good light film of lube, put it back togather and go to town.