What parts of AK you never clean ?

[dekibg]

I guess that most people will say gas tube, is there anything else that is “common knowledge”?
I just feel that part of responsible gun ownership is to eventually clean all parts that get dirty-
especially ones that are carbon fouled.
( Once in a while, with oiled rag, I even wipe down AK’s cleaning rod and folding stock - heck, I even clean my AR buffer tube once a year)
What are your no-go zones ?

 

[Ignition Override]

Firing pin channels.

Reassemblies might be ok using Youtube,

Would rather leave this component alone.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Why would you never clean the gas tube?

Ya, I dont let grease anywhere near it , but nothing wrong with a clean and lightly oiled piston.

 

[sarduy]

Do you clean AK?

 

[dekibg]

Why would you never clean the gas tube?

Ya, I dont let grease anywhere near it , but nothing wrong with a clean and lightly oiled piston.

When I served in (foreign) military, we cleaned our AK gas tubes very energetically, using a bore cleaning rope that had cut in the middle for a piece of cloth. Smaller cloth for barrel , larger for gas tube.
Now Rob Ski says to never clean it…

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

No offense to Rob, but if it was meant to be dirty I think the factory would ship it full of carbon and lead residue......

 

[JCooperfan1911]

The entire thing? This one has 4K rounds through it with 0 cleaning and 0 issues:



Cleaned it twice in the first 500 or so rounds. Going to get around to cleaning it after the next case or three of ammo.

As for the gas tube, there is literally no reason to ever clean an AK gas tube as it isn’t really a “gas tube” at all. It literally acts as nothing more than a dust cover and guide for the piston. In fact, some AKs will run just fine even without the “gas tube” in place! All the impulse happens inside the front gas block itself. The tube is just there to protect the piston and to make sure it goes straight into the gas block. It does not “seal” or “boost” the gas pressure at all, unlike on other rifles.

If you shoot corrosive ammo then yes, clean that part, but in general Rob is right!

 

[Deus Machina]

I clean mine plenty.
Mostly just because I don't get to go shooting often and I live in Florida. I'd rather have fresh oil on metal than powder residue.
Not afraid of it gumming up, just rusting.

 

[Ignition Override]

USMC veteran Reid Heinrichs was also a Designated M-14 Marksman and achieved an interesting handgun qualification level.

He operates Valor Ridge, which most of you have heard of.
Despite his efficient and thorough cleaning of his AK , which he states has used 40,000 rounds, he has never cleaned the Gas Tube, even after using corrosive (primed) ammo.

>>>>>This segment begins at 6:20.<<<<< If there is something Else which he Never checks, he didn't say what.
After shooting over 6,000 rds. in my AKMs, I'm curious whether the tiny gas ports ever truly need a moist pipe cleaner to remove residue.

Reid keep his AKMs Loaded--- at home. You will see a round eject at the start of this video.

 

[DeepSouth]

I have an AK that’s shot a little over 10k rounds. When I bought it back in 06’ maybe 07’ I took it home and cleaned it throughly, since then I once squirted a shot of cleaner into the firing pin hole, after a slam fire. Other than that I haven’t cleaned anything,

Well, I have dunked it into a bucket of water a few times to cool it off, back in the bump stock days. Does that count?

 

[Deus Machina]

After shooting over 6,000 rds. in my AKMs, I'm curious whether the tiny gas ports ever truly need a moist pipe cleaner to remove residue.

That I can't say. I'd rather clean it before finding out, but mostly I just hose it out after shooting anything I think might be corrosive.
Again, not worried about it but thirty seconds with windex, air, and oil is better than risking having to deal with that part if an actual problem pops up.

 

[Ignition Override]

Deus Machina:
my comment about "corrosive ammo" only referred to Reid Heinrich's comments about His use of some corrosive ammo.

I've never used corrosive ammo in any of my semi-auto rifles. Never will.

But used plenty in my Mosins, Yugo Mauser, plus in my five L. Enfields.

 

[trackskippy]

I always just clean all the dirty parts after every outing. Never had any issues.

 

[Rule3]

I throw it in the pool. Shake it off, let it Sun dry.
Not really, I like cleaning guns so it gets a "normal" clean like all the others but not crazy like gas tube or firing pin stuff.

 

[FL-NC]

The area between the butt plate and the muzzle. No, just kidding. I advise a good scrub-out of the chamber and bore and a good coat of oil on all exterior metal surfaces, at a minimum. In afg we tended to find AK's (and other commie weapons) just laying about after engagements. The first cleaning those guns required usually involved a pressure washer due to dirt and body fluids left on them. Also, the enemy often lubed their guns with used cooking oil, so they would smell like the disgusting chow they ate.

 

[edwardware]

Do you clean AK?

In Russia, Kalashnikov cleans you!

There's no reason you can't or shouldn't clean your AK, but there is the risk that you'll miss the brilliance of the design. . . the darn thing can be run, essentially indefinitely, on a steady supply of crap ammo, oleaginous schmoo of some kind (used APC trans fluid?), and the occasional wiping out of the larger chunks of carbon from the receiver.

An illiterate, malnourished 12 year old with 5 minutes of training can run it as long as he can survive. That was the point.

It's reliability engineering, for a forced march, high school draft, army. Only the Russians. . .

 

[Rule3]

Meanwhile in Russia, School Kids and the AK 74!
How fast can "you" do it???

 

[Ignition Override]

The paradox is when people call AKs “junk”, which reveals their ignorance about how challenging it is to properly Assemble components, press barrels, rivets etc.

Even some American companies have trouble with QC, or cost/profit targets (“point”) allow attempted shortcuts. Quite ironic.

Rule3:
You would enjoy cleaning my Dirty, roller delayed Blowback PTR-91 !

Clean gun, uses just 40 rounds, Entire forward areas of receiver etc Now Very Dirty.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Yugo M70AB2
I shoot only noncorrosive ammo.
Wipe the barrel with a patch with Hoppe's 9 after shooting, and wipe all exterior steel that might rust with an oily rag.
At the end of the year, thorough strip and clean of action, and clean the barrel thoroughly. Make sure the firing pin is mobile.

 

[sarduy]

In Russia, Kalashnikov cleans you!

There's no reason you can't or shouldn't clean your AK, but there is the risk that you'll miss the brilliance of the design. . . the darn thing can be run, essentially indefinitely, on a steady supply of crap ammo, oleaginous schmoo of some kind (used APC trans fluid?), and the occasional wiping out of the larger chunks of carbon from the receiver.

An illiterate, malnourished 12 year old with 5 minutes of training can run it as long as he can survive. That was the point.

It's reliability engineering, for a forced march, high school draft, army. Only the Russians. . .

I have to say i do clear the AK, you know that part of the front sight that gets filled with mud after i drag myself through the Florida swamp.. otherwise i cant aim

 

[BigBlue 94]

My sks gets wiped off with a dry rag after use and a swab down the bore every decade or so. It might as well have a pedal and say Singer on the side.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Just because someone says "you don't have to clean the gas-tube", does not mean "you can't clean the gas tube". I clean my gas tube.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Meanwhile in Russia, School Kids and the AK 74!
How fast can "you" do it???

Not that fast, but in the dark or blind-folded I can get her done.

 

[JDGray]

The AK, or AKM like we own and shoot, usually comes with a cleaning rod and a cleaning kit in the butt stock. This is a war machine, built for the worst conditions. We don't put our rifles through nearly the conditions they were designed for, but cleaning one might still be needed. Like the guys who throw theirs in the mud, they might want to clean theirs. The rifle has a self cleaning gas piston, and there is no gas back in the receiver to clean up after, so its pretty reliable in that department. I wash my new car, wipe off my tools after use. Do I have to? No, but I prefer to. If you like clean stuff, clean away

 

[AK Hunter]

I own many AKs But I don't clean them after every time to the range. Over cleaning any firearm will shorten the life of the barrel.
The only time I clean right after shooting is when I shoot corrosive ammo, then it gets a total tear down & a very thorough cleaning.
I always clean the gas tube, I clean it just like a barrel, I use a 10ga shotgun brush until it's clean & then oil it with an oiled rag pull through. I strip the bolt to soak & clean/inspect each part. I pull & clean/inspect the FCG then clean the inside of the receiver. I pull & clean the cleaning rod & cleaning kit from the stock on the guns that have them just to wipe with oil & check for rust.
The whole gun get an oiled rag wipe down before it is put away.