corrosive ammo, opinions on cleaning my ak

[thrillbilly77]

I would like to hear some of your opinions on cleaning my AK after shooting militaty surplus corrosive ammo. I have never used corrosive ammo,however for the price i am willing to clean the rifle properly after use. Thanks for your opinions and techniques, Jim

[Coils]

I just clean mine twice, first with window cleaner to nuetralize the corrosive, then a normal cleaning.

I don't know if you seen it but here's a thread that might help
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[[486]]

I just use water to dissolve the salt and then do normal cleaning.

It's a bitch to do, so unless >100 rounds will be fired I'd just use non corrosive.

[thrillbilly77]

What is the main inhibiter in the shells? I noticed you mentioned salt. I have also heard of lead in the primers. Also, how long do i have to get it cleaned after shooting? I have 250 rounds of yugo mil surplus. I take it i should use them all up at one time?Also, what is the best way of cleaning the gas tube area? Thanks,Jim

[ACMcom]

When fired the primers in corrosively primed ammunition leave behind salts which are hydroscopic, which means they attract water as in water vapor in the air. Water + steel = rust.
To remove the salts (not "neutralize" them) you flush the rifle with water. Hot water works best because it drys faster. Cold water will flush the salts just as well but requires more work to dry the weapon.
Others have said that a solution of Ballistol and water works - the water flushing the salts and the Ballistol preventing rust. I've never tried it.
When I shoot corrosively primed ammunition, I use WWII GI bore cleaner.

[ACMcom]

Originally Posted by thrillbilly77

Also, how long do i have to get it cleaned after shooting?

It all depends on the humidity (the amount of water vapor in the air).
If it's very humid you should flush immediately if possible, ASAP if it's not possible to do it immediately.
If you shoot when the humidity is very low you have more time to clean the weapon since there is less water in the air for the salts to attract.

[Winn R]

I was raised better but went bad on my own.

I clean the chromed barrel ones maybe once a year.

[[486]]

Originally Posted by Winn R

I was raised better but went bad on my own.

I clean the chromed barrel ones maybe once a year.

How do you not get rusty bolts and carriers?

[gotmine]

Keep your weapons cleaned and maintained because you never know when you may need 100% reliability.

When I shoot corrosive ammo I do the hot soapy water routine whether it is 1 or 100 rnds. My opinion is that you get out of it what you put into it.

[thrillbilly77]

When I shoot corrosively primed ammunition, I use WWII GI bore cleaner.[/quote

]
Where can you find WWII GI cleaner? Is it like CLP? Also, my AK does have a chrome limed barrel. Does this help reduse corrosion or is it applied for functional purposes?