Cleaning out gas tube on AK, Important?

[Peakbagger46]

Is it important to keep the gas tube clean on an AK? I have a heck of a time trying to get a big enough patch in there to clean it up well. What do you use?

 

[Shear_stress]

Not really sure if this is worth the effort as long as the gun functions fine and you aren't using corrosive ammo.

 

[nalioth]

Well, it's not really important to clean it (the piston face keeps it scraped out enough for function).

If you do want to clean it, use a 20ga shotgun brass brush.

 

[Badger Arms]

Don't clean it.

 

[dfariswheel]

I shoot corrosive ammo, so I clean with a 12 gauge bore brush and water, followed by solvent on large patches.

You don't "have" to clean the tube, but your AK will stay in better shape if you do. If you don't, don't be surprised if the tube starts rusting.

 

[DMK]

I clean mine out once in a while. Well, I just wipe a patch soaked with Hoppe's round in there, soak it while I clean the bore and bolt, then dry it out with a piece of rag before slapping it all back together.

I have had both a FAL and an SKS jam a piston on carbon, so I'm not a member of the "it never needs to be cleaned" camp any more. But I wouldn't say it needs to be cleaned any more frequently than 500 rds. And the AK gas system is a bit more robust than the SKS/FAL system being that it is directly attached to the bolt carrier.

 

[briansmithwins]

You're supposed to use a stick.

No kidding, it's in the manual: http://www.box.net/shared/cu2djae1zb

BSW

 

[tactikel]

Clean it, it takes 5 minutes! run a patch soaked with Hoppes #9 (shotgun patches) finish with some Breakfree CLP- or a good quality lubricant. I you shoot corrosive Commie ammo - you MUST clean it.

 

[jojo200517]

LOL I always used the lazy man way. Take it off take it outside spray down the inside good with carb cleaner. Give it a minute to work, spray it again if its drying out, run my old shotgun bore mop thru it to take out the gunk and carb cleaner, spray in a little gun oil put it back together.

 

[Deus Machina]

If I shoot corrosive ammo, I clean it.

If I don't, I only clean it after I've shot a lot. Pop it off, dunk it in the sink, and run a 20-gauge brush through it. Let it dry, then run an oiled patch, and then the 20-gauge mop. Done.

 

[Peakbagger46]

Thanks for the help. I guess I'll go and buy a 12ga mop for it.

 

[W.E.G.]

Do whatever it takes to make sure it doesn't turn into a mass of rust.

Additional cleaning is truly optional.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Unless you shoot corrosive ammo, why would you ever clean an AK?

 

[musick]

I clean it after every trip to the range. ANY dirty gun may cause problems, and its easier to clean it every time then wait until it gets seriously gunked up. Sure, it might be overkill, but it is so easy and so fast to do, I just clean it.

Previously I used a toothbrush to get in there, but I then picked up a set of brushes from the gunshow that included a gas tube brush w/ various length bristles and a box magazine brush. Im sure a 12G mop would work as well, but Ive never used one, so I dont know. Make sure some solvent runs through the gas holes and into the barrel to keep them clear.

 

[musick]

As far as oil in the tube, I was under the impression that the gas coming into the cylinder is so super heated, it can gum up any lube into a sticky, tar like substance that can cause the piston to stick.

I do oil mine, but only for storage and only lightly. Before shooting, I clean the tube of any lube.

 

[briansmithwins]

The manual I linked to above says to oil the inside of the gas tube after cleaning. They are assuming you're using corrosive ammo. BSW

 

[MTMilitiaman]

As mentioned, it isn't critically important to clean the gas tube to ensure function. Not much on the AK does. However, in the interest of being a competent and professional rifleman, maintaining gear is important, so the gas tube should be cleaned with the rest of the rifle. Finding a big enough patch might be difficult.

I spray mine out with a chemical degreaser like Gunk Out and place it on a rag propped up vertically so it can drip out. Every couple minutes I'll run a 12 gauge Bore Snake through it, and repeat this process until the drip isn't black anymore. Then I just run the soft "rope" section of a 12 gauge Bore Snake through it a couple more times to dry it out. Like the gas piston, chamber, bore, bolt face, and firing pin channel, the gas tube should be kept clean and dry.

 

[musick]

The manual I linked to above says to oil the inside of the gas tube after cleaning. They are assuming you're using corrosive ammo. BSW

I clicked on the link, but the site doesnt allow a direct link. It wanted me to download it, so I passed.

I have a book titled, "The Ak-47 Assault Rifle". I am pretty sure it says not to lube the tube, but Ill hunt it down and double check to see what it says. Not saying your link is wrong, just saying I was under the impression that hot gases and oils dont make for the best combination.

 

[musick]

I found the original manual that came w/ my SLR-95. Here is a pic:

 

[possum]

it is not that important to worry about however if you have a 10ga bore brush that is about the perfect size. also don't leave oil residue in there if you do clean it.

 

[briansmithwins]

From the translated Sov Armorer's manual I linked to earlier:



I shoot Yugo M67, which is corrosive. I leave a light film of oil in the gas tube and on the piston. Never noticed them looking like a smoker's lung when I'm done shooting or had any other problems with excessive fouling. BSW

 

[jojo200517]

So one manual says lube it the other doesn't, and guess what folks I just looked at the manual for my WASR and it doesn't say specifically on the gas tube. It does say make sure its clean, and it does say lubricate your rifle but it doesn't say where.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

As a general rule, the chamber and bore, bolt face and firing pin channel, and gas system parts of any firearm should be kept clean and dry. While these parts can be kept lubricated for long term storage, lubricating them for use provides no advantage, and can attract fouling and debris that will have a derogatory effect on function, or even safety. For example, lubricating the chamber can result in pressure spikes, and lubricating the firing pin channel can attract grit that can result in slam fires, esp in firearms like the AK that have free floating firing pins.

 

[DMK]

If you don't oil metal, it can rust. Carbon build up will not protect metal from corrosion and may in fact accelerate it. Excess oil in the gas system can "coke" and become very difficult to clean out.

However, an AK has very liberal clearances in the gas tube. Best bet is periodically clean it out, apply a light coat of oil to the inside of the tube and dry off the excess. A *very* light film of oil will not harm anything.

 

[RP88]

I always clean it, since my non-.22 guns may end up waiting weeks or months before being shot again due to my college kiddie's retail job budget.

If it's something you plan to shoot every week, then you can probably let it go for a month or two. But, if it's gonna sit there unused for awhile, then there is no harm and cleaning it. Not only will it keep it from 'coking' if such amount of shooting has been seen with the rifle, but it will just be so much nicer that it will be nice and squeaky clean the next time you shoot it.