I have shot a lot of corrosive 5.45x39 in my AK without any corrosion problems. I use Ballistol or Ballistol w/ a little water emulsified in it. I think the AR cleaning is simple except for the gas tube. As its stainless, I'm guessing I don't have to be too concerned about it. It's probably easier to just replace it after 3-4 thousand rounds. Any one else shooting corrosive?

i do but only through belt fed guns and a ppsh41.. no tube on them... stainless is resistant but will mess up... the gas tube will prob be full of trash way before it rust in two (corrosive ammo is very dirty)...but those tubes are cheap. you might try some of the barrel foam that you seal 1 end and feel her full... just a thought .. you might get alittle more use out of it

just curious, what AK do you have thats chambered for 5.45?

An AK-74 is what shoots 5.45x39. Note that this is not .223.

KVAR and Atlantic Firearms have AK 74s if you want to see one. You can Google either distributor.

I'm shooting 2 of the S&W 16" and one Model 1 Sales 20" uppers in 5.45X39. All the ammo used was Bulgarian surplus ball.

I've been just flushing everything with steaming hot water, then clean as usual. We have run over 7,000 rds thru the 3 rifles with only 4 failures, dead primers.

I like Ballistol too, guess I'm just lazy. I put the teapot on the stove while I get my cleaning supplies out. Then douche the bbl, carrier and bolt with water hot enough to evaporate quickly.

I'm think'in like you, the gas tube would be a quick fix if it ever acts up. So far no problems with any of them.

I learned to like the 5.45X39 in my AK-74s too. They don't get much range time since I got the ARs.

MidwayUSA and Brownells both sell super long pipe cleaners for the gas tube as well...makes me feel better, even though if you use enough hot water/Balistoil I suspect they are not needed.

I've run a boat load of combloc 5.45 through my M&P15R. I usually pour a little Ballistol/water down the barrel before I leave the range, and then flush the upper out with hot water when I get home. Then I just clean normally. I do run one of the long pipe cleaners through the gas tube as a part of that process. Maybe not necessary, but I do it anyway. So far, no issues.

John, How Do you clean the bolt carrier and bolt? Wash in water?

Yep. I spray the entire assembly with Fantastic and flush with hot, hot water. Then I use compressed air to blow it dry (the hot water helps, as it flashes off quicker). After that I just clean and lube normally.