PROPER CLEANING OF AN AK

[mpmarty]

I will sound dumb, but I recently have gotten into AK shooting with an Arsenal 5.45x39 and a Saiga 308. I have acquired large amounts of surplus ammo for both of them. I beleive that some or all the surplus ammo is corrosive. I read the label on Hoppes #9 and it says good for corrosive ammo cleaning. The barrels of these weapons are spotless and bright and I clean them and oil them up after each use but how do I clean the little gas port and the gas tube above the barrel to be sure the evil rust devil doesn't destroy my rifles? I use 45 cal patches and brushes in the top tube where the piston rides and thoroughly clean the piston, bolt and related parts but how do I know the actual gas port is safely cleaned? Thanks all for your input/answers.

 

[Plink]

The corrosive residue left by the primers is potassium chloride, a salt. It's water soluble. Hot soapy water is a great way to get it out. Dry thoroughly and follow up with oil. It's not hard to clean up after corrosive priming, but it's a pain. I tend to avoid it if possible.

 

[lathedog]

I use hot (HOT!) soapy water to clean my SKS all the time, followed by a liberal spray down with WD-40. And a little grease in the right spots. I do not limit myself to the bore for corrosive salt removal only, I clean the whole darn rifle this way.

I find the hot soapy water method has less mess, no smell, no dangerous chemicals, does an outstanding job on corrosive salts, and allows me to use a cleaning patch for multiple swipes. I run a final rinse with hot water, and by hot I mean hot enough to evaporate almost instantly.

I do not submerge anything except for smaller parts like the gas piston.

 

[mpmarty]

tHANKS

For the info. Now I have to convince the wife that is IS NOT strange that I take an AK into the shower with me.