The AK-47 assault rifle is a popular firearm with a rich history. Like any other firearm the AK-47 requires regular maintenance. Follow these steps to safely and efficiently field-strip an AK-47.

Steps

  1. 1
    Make sure the firearm is unloaded, and the magazine is removed. Pull back the charging handle to eject any loaded rounds.[1]
  2. 2
    Remove the cleaning rod located at the front of the rifle below the barrel.[2]
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  3. 3
    Remove the bolt cover by pressing the button on the back of the bolt cover forward. This may take a little jiggling, but mostly just use a constant pressure pulling the cover up and back (toward the comb and up).[3]
  4. 4
    Remove the bolt spring. Press the same button toward the front of the gun, sliding it out of its channel. Remove by pulling it backward.[4]
  5. 5
    Pull out the bolt and charging handle.[5]
  6. 6
    Use the cleaning kit tool to unlock the gas tube (the lever on the side of your rear sight). The lever should be pointing at a right angle to the barrel.[6]
  7. 7
    Remove the gas tube.
  8. 8
    At this point, you may clean your firearm with various solvents or oils. In my experience, Hoppe's gun oil is one of the best.
  9. 9
    Perform these steps in reverse order to re-assemble your firearm. If you get stuck, find an online forum to assist you.
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Warnings

  • Always be sure the firearm is unloaded.
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  • Treat firearms with care and respect, as they are dangerous. Always treat them as if they are loaded (keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times).
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Things You'll Need

  • Original cleaning tool kit, or pliers
  • Solvents and oils
  • Patches, and cleaning rods (if you plan on also cleaning your firearm)

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 19 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 121,978 times.
152 votes - 84%
Co-authors: 19
Updated: February 15, 2023
Views: 121,978
Categories: Rifles
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