How to Clean Your AK-47 Rifle? (Tools and Steps to Follow)

how to clean an ak 47

Anyone who owns an AK 47 Rifle, knows that it is extremely important that you keep your gun clean.

The inability to keep it clean of debris and other contaminants will have a negative impact on the operation of your gun.

However, when it comes to Avtomat Kalashnikova (AK 47) many people have their own opinions.

Many think that they own one of the world’s finest guns and therefore do not ever need to clean them.

Still, there are many who focus on maintaining their AK by getting them cleaned on a regular basis. If you are one among those here we have outlined a step by step process on how you can clean your AK-47 effortlessly.

Believe me, following the right steps when cleaning your AK-47 will keep it in good running condition and you will be proudly owning it forever!

What You Will Need for Cleaning?

When it comes to cleaning and maintaining your AK 47 rifle it is very important that you have a complete gun cleaning kit designed especially for an AK 47 like yours.

This is important because it should include tools that make it easier to get to all areas inside the rifle.

Real Avid Gun Boss AK-47 Cleaning Kit is one of the best that includes all these accessories for cleaning and maintaining your AK-47 PERFECTLY. If you need buying one, you may check this kit here at Real Avid Gun Boss 7.62MM Cleaning Kit, OD Green (AVGCKAK47).

Besides Real Avid AK-47 Cleaning Kit there are many other different brands of cleaning kits, but you will want to be sure that it includes all the items listed below:

  • 6 Threaded steel rods with durable black e-coating and swivel tip combine to form a 28.5″ rod
  • T-handle
  • 62mm bore brush
  • Gas Tube Nylon Brush
  • Gas Tube Mop
  • Nylon Slotted Tip
  • AK47 Drift Pin Punch with Gas Port Scraper Tip
  • Bore Illuminator/Safety Flag
  • Chamber Brush
  • Compact AK47 Carbon Scraper
  • 50 – 1.5″ X 3″ Cleaning Patches
  • Bottle of gun cleaner

In addition, I also recommend getting a proper TekMat Gun Cleaning Mat for use with AK-47 , Black , Large on Amazon.

The reason why I recommend using a TekMat AK47 mat is due to the fact that it comes with a simple to follow parts diagram that makes up your AK-47. This will make the field stripping your gun very simple.

And once you are done cleaning you can reassemble all the parts very easily by checking the detailed diagrams on the AK 47 cleaning mat.

Without messing up with all the parts you can keep them protected while cleaning. Also, it helps in protecting the surface on which you are working.

Step By Step Cleaning Guide For An AK 47 Rifle

Below is a complete, easy to follow step by step cleaning guide that will help you to keep your AK 47 Rifle in good working condition at all times.

Step #1 – Prepare a large enough area to lay out your cleaning supplies, mat, and your rifle. Be sure to put down a towel or cloth.

Step #2 – Be sure to inspect your rifle before you begin by ensuring that there are no rounds in the chamber and no magazines loaded.

Step #3 – Begin disassembling the AK 47 by first removing the receiver cover, you do this by holding the buttstock in one hand and using the thumb of the other hand to push forward on the end of the recoil guide.

Then by lifting the cover away from the receiver, it will pop out of place.

Step #4 – Next you will need to remove the recoil guide and spring.

With the cover removed you can grab the recoil guide and spring with one hand and by pushing them forward and upward to remove them from the slot in the receiver. Once you clear the slot and lifting out of the bolt carrier.

Step #5 – Next is to remove the bolt carrier, to do this you want to be sure the safety is in the fire position and by grabbing the bolt handle and pulling it back to its full length of travel.

Grab the bolt carrier assembly and while lifting it pull it out of the receiver and pull it out from the gas tube and handguard assembly.

Step #6 – Remove the bolt head from the carrier. To do this grab the bolt head with one hand and twist it until it comes out of the locking groove.

Using the other hand, you pull the bolt head out for the front of the carrier.

Step #7 – Next comes the gas tube/handguard assembly. To remove the gas tube you need to twist the locking lever to the 11 o’clock position and by lifting the end of the handguard and pull it back out of the gas tube.

Step #8 – Your AK 47 is now fully broken down and ready for the cleaning to start.

Step #9 – Start cleaning with the barrel by using a cleaning rod with the bore brush that has been soaked in gun cleaner.

Run the brush all the way through the end of the barrel and repeat 10 full times (note: be sure to remove the brush end before pulling the bore brush out and put the brush back on when reinserting the brush).

Step #10 – To complete barrel cleaning use several dry patches attached to a cleaning rod. Be sure to follow the same process of removing the patch before withdrawing the rod.

Use as many patches as it takes to remove all cleaner from the inside of the barrel.

Using a patch covered in lubricant push the rod through the barrel to distribute the lubrication evenly the length of the barrel.

Step #11 – Carefully inspect the receiver for any debris and remove any debris that you find using a soft wire brush.

Step #12 – Using a q-tip soaked in bore cleaner wipe down inside the carrier to remove any caked-on dirt and grime.

Step #13 – Using another q-tip dipped in gun oil apply a liberal coat of oil on all of the parts inside the carrier.

Step #14 – Using a q-tip soaked in bore cleaner to clean the inside of the gas tube. Be sure to pay close attention to all of the openings to ensure that none of them are clogged.

Be sure that the gas tube is completely dry and never allow any lubricant to touch the gas tube, any lubricant can cause a catastrophic failure.

Step #15 – Lubricate the gas tube take lever by placing a drop of gun oil on the lever.

Step #16 – To reinstall the gas tube and handguard you simply reverse the process of Step #7.

Step #17 – Clean the gas piston, which is located on the front half of the bolt carrier with a liberal amount of bore cleaner.

Let the gas piston dry and do not put any lubricant on the piston.

Step #18 – Next clean the bolt and bolt face using a q-tip soaked in bore cleaner. Be sure that you get into all of the nooks and crannies to get any and all dirt and grime.

Using gun oil on a q-tip lubricate the bolt and bolt face.

Step #19 – Reinstall the bolt face shaft into the bolt and place the assembly back into the carrier. With everything lined up twist the bolt assembly into place in the carrier.

Step #20 – Slide the bolt carrier assembly into the gas tube

Step #21 – Pull the bolt carrier assembly to the back end of the receiver and then push the assembly down into its rail and then push the bolt carrier assembly all the way forward into place.

Step #22 – Next comes reinstalling the recoil and spring assembly back into place by pushing it back into the bolt carrier assembly, making sure that it clears the slot in the receiver.

Using your fingers push it back into place until it locks in.

Step #23 – Put the receiver cover back in place making sure that it is properly located behind the front sight. Everything is now back together and ready

Step #24 – Do a full function check by pulling back on the charging handle and release it so that it cocks the hammer and pull the trigger tom dry fire the rifle.

Repeat the process several times to ensure proper operation.

Step #25 – The last step is to wipe down the entire outside of the AK 47 rifle with a good lubricant to prevent any rust from forming on the outside of the rifle.

Why is the AK 47 so famous?

The AK-47 is one of the most prominent assault rifles used all over the world in its different variants. The reason why these are so popular is its simple working mechanism and ability to beat. Its known for its simplicity, reliability and ease of repairing.

From where did the AK-47 get its name?

Avtomat Kalashnikova or AK-47 is named after its designer and year its designed in. A = Automatic (the type of action). K = Kalashnikov (Mikhail Kalashnikov is the name of its designer). 47 = 1947 (the year in which rifle was introduced into service in the Red Army).

How often should you clean your AK-47?

There are many who have different opinions of how frequently you should clean a gun in order to keep it in perfect working order. As a thumb rule you should be cleaning it lightly just after a day at hunting. Consider getting it deep cleaned after few such hunting trips.

Is it true that I never need to clean my AK 47?

Although the AK-47 is one of the best reliable rifles that can withstand harshest environmental conditions, it still needs good maintenance on a regular basis. Cleaning your AK 47 with usage will help you maintain its proper functioning, accuracy and long life.

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