How To Clean Your AK-47 Rifle

Many preppers turn to Survivopedia asking what would be the best survival gun. There are a lot to consider before giving them any answer, if you think about how different people are. But one thing applies to everyone relying on firearms for self-defense: the best survival gun is the one that you already have.

Still owning a gun means more than shooting once in a while: without proper maintenance and cleaning it will let you down in the most critical moments.

That’s why we started our series about how to clean your firearms. You’ve already seen how to clean your revolver.

Today we’ll talk about how to clean an Arsenal SAM 7R AK-47 semi-auto rifle (7.62X39mm).

Step 1 – Always prepare the cleaning area with all of the materials and supplies that you will need.

Step 2 – Visually inspect the AK to make sure it is unloaded and safe with no ammo in the chamber. Be sure that there are no loaded magazines or loose ammunition in the cleaning area.

Step 3 – To begin breaking down the AK, first start by removing the receiver cover. To do this hold the rifle butt stock firmly in one hand. Then with the thumb of the other hand push forward on the end of the recoil guide and lift the receiver cover upward and back from the receiver.

Step 4 – Remove the recoil guide and spring. With the receiver cover off, grip the end of the recoil guide and spring unit, then push it forward until it clears the slot in the receiver. Lift it up slightly and pull it straight back out of the bolt carrier.

Step 5 – Remove the bolt carrier assembly. Ensure that the safety is in the FIRE position. Grasp the bolt handle and pull it back to the full rear of travel. Lift the bolt carrier assembly up from the receiver and draw it to the rear and out of the gas tube/hand guard assembly.

Step 6 – Remove the bolt head from the carrier assembly hold the carrier in one hand. Then with the other hand rotate the bolt head out of the locking groove. Pull the bolt head out of the carrier from the front.

Step 7 – Remove the gas tube/ hand guard assembly.  Rotate the gas tube take down lever clockwise to about 11 o’clock position. Then lift up on the rear of the hand guard and pull it back and out of the AK gas tube.

Step 8 – The AK is now broken down to its basic components.

Step 9 – To clean the barrel use a bore brush of the correct bore diameter and soak it with bore cleaner. Push the brush 8-10 times through the barrel going from the chamber to the muzzle. Remember to remove the wire brush each time before you pull the cleaning rod back to to the chamber and re-install the wire brush For the next push of the cleaning rod.

Step 10 – Run a dry patch through the barrel to the muzzle to remove excess cleaner from the barrel. Remember to remove the dirty patch from the cleaning rod before pulling back the cleaning rod to the chamber. Put another clean patch on the cleaning rod and push it forward for the next cycle. Do this about 5-8 times or until the barrel is clean. Then run a lubricated patch through the barrel to protect the barrel from rust and corrosion.

Step 11 – Use a soft metal brush to remove loose dirt, grime, and powder residue inside of the receiver.

Step 12 – Dip Q-Tips in bore cleaner and remove dirt, grime, and powder residue inside of the receiver.

Step 13– Use gun lubricant lightly to lube all of the receiver components.

Step 14 – Clean the gas tube using a Q-Tip with bore cleaner and clean the gas tube area. If the gas tube holes are blocked, use a small diameter nail or a gas tube cleaning tool to remove fouling in the gas tube.

Warning: Do not lube the gas tube. Just clean and dry it. Lubricating the gas tube can cause heavy fouling in the gas tube.

Step 15 – Put a drop of lubricant on the gas tube take down lever.

Step 16 – To re-install the gas tube/hand guard put the front of the gas tube/hand guard into the gas tube and then push the rear section in the lock down portion in front of the rear sights. Push the take down lever counterclockwise till it locks in place in the dimple.

Step 17 – To clean the gas piston (the forward half of the bolt carrier assembly), Use a good bore cleaner, wipe down the piston and let it dry. Do not put any kind of lubricant on the piston!

Step 18 – To clean the bolt and the bolt face, start by using Q-Tips dipped in bore cleaner and work the Q-Tips into the bolt face groove and the bolt. To clean the bolt face work the Q-Tips in every nick and cranny until the bolt head is clean. Lubricate the bolt and the bolt face.

Step 19 – To remount the bolt face shaft into the bolt, push the bolt face and shaft into the bolt until the locking  lug lines up with the groove in the carrier assembly. Twist the bolt face shaft clockwise to engage the groove. Continue twisting the shaft until the locking lug is locked in place.

Step 20 – Insert the bolt carrier assembly into the gas tube.

Step 21 – Pull the bolt carrier assembly all the way back to the rear of the receiver to the bolt carrier assembly cut out. Push down to put the bolt carrier assembly in its rail, then push it all the way forward.

Step 22 – To re-install the recoil guide and spring unit, push it forward into the back of the bolt carrier assembly until it clears it’s slot in the receiver. With your fingers, ease it back until it locks into the slot.

Step 23 – To re-install the receiver cover, put the front of the receiver cover into the slot behind the front sight. Push the rear of the receiver cover down.  Let the guide rod button go through the lock down hole at the back of the receiver cover to lock it in place.

Step 24 – Function test the AK by pulling the charging handle back and letting it go to cock the hammer.  Then pull the trigger to drop the hammer. Do this 3-4 times to verify that the AK is working correctly.

Step 25 – To protect the exterior of the AK, wipe down the exterior of the AK with a good lubricant to prevent rust and corrosion.

Now you know how to clean your AK-47 rifle, so you could make use of it for a lifetime!

Stay close for another part of our series about keeping your guns at the ready, and share your experience using the comment form below!

This article has been written by Fred Tyrell for Survivopedia.