What Brand of Patches to use to Clean AK-74?

[Texas Patriot]

Trying to clean my new Bulgy AK-74 and the patches I use to clean my .223 with are too tight to clean the barrel with. I mean, when I tried to pull one thru the barrel (from chamber to muzzle), it got stuck and I had to smack the back of the rod to get it back out toward the chamber. Granted, these same patches are pretty snug for my Mini-14 as well. (BTW, I bought these no-name patches at a gun show last year).

Did I get a batch of patches that's just too big or is there a special brand to use to clean the bore of a '74?

TIA.

[Whole Bunches]

I use USGI M16 patches bought at gunshow and cut them in half...otherwise too tight for mine also (I am able to use them whole in the M16 though). Amazing what difference a smaller bore diameter can make.

[BigDog]

On an AR-15, I use Pro-Shot patches and they work great. (Still waiting on an AKS 74........) They are 100% cotton flannel, which means they soak up the cleaning solution and the dirt in the bore very well. Synthetic patches are no good. The Pro-Shot jag with a "spear tip" makes cleaning easier, because the patches stay in place on the jag. I use an Outers aluminum cleaning rod on AKs, because you have no choice with an AK, you clean it from the muzzle end. The aluminum won't wreck the crown of the muzzle like steel can....

[JohnLewis]

I went over to the "Otis Kit" to clean my 5.45...I got the set that works on .17 to .22, it has a plastic coated cable pull through that isnt rough on the bore or muzzle(Otis Kits are used by most federal agencies these days) You can mail order or if you are near a Bass Pro or a Galyens they carry them on the shelf.
You dont need the whole kit per say...they have a basic set with just the pull though and patch holder that isnt too pricey.

[16r40]

I use the 5.56 patches.......if it's a bit too tight for you just cut them in half.

[BigDog]

Using "5.56" patches won't always work. I bought some from Wideners quite a while back that I can't even get to start down the bore, no matter what. They are just too thick. I got some from Dillon several years ago, made by "Bloomer's" or something like that and those were weak and would easily tear. Buy brand name stuff...Pro-Shot is hard to beat.

[Cammer]

I just have a big bag of .45 cal patches that look like t-shirt thickness. I cut them into fourths and they work great in both my AR15 and my AK74. Snug fit in both rifles but not tight.

Then there's my good buddy who just keeps a roll of paper towels on his workbench. He just tears off some and uses that. These aren't target rifles so I guess it doesn't hurt.

[patriot (pa)]

The brand is called "old cotton underwear" cut to size, use. Works great and it's recycling too. ;)

[JA]

The best and easiest to use patch for cleaning a rifle's bore is a can of brake parts cleaner. Once you have scrubbed the bore with a brush spray into the chamber till what runs out the end of the barrel is clear. It dries super fast and leaves no residue.

[Etek]

On an AR-15, I use Pro-Shot patches and they work great. (Still waiting on an AKS 74........) They are 100% cotton flannel, which means they soak up the cleaning solution and the dirt in the bore very well. Synthetic patches are no good. The Pro-Shot jag with a "spear tip" makes cleaning easier, because the patches stay in place on the jag. I use an Outers aluminum cleaning rod on AKs, because you have no choice with an AK, you clean it from the muzzle end. The aluminum won't wreck the crown of the muzzle like steel can....

BigDog,
Gotta watch those aluminum rods. IF you get the rod dirty it will degrade the crown quicker than anything else. Kinda like lapping compound.
I suggest using a rod that is slightly softer than the barrel...that's it.

I like the SKS setup using the cleaning rod guide/blank fire adaptor. You'll never touch the crown.

[tk421]

Boresnake :wink_smal

Yup

[nf9648]

I use either Hanes or Fruit of the Loom, whichever t-shirts Im wearing out at the time.

[nf9648]

The best and easiest to use patch for cleaning a rifle's bore is a can of brake parts cleaner. Once you have scrubbed the bore with a brush spray into the chamber till what runs out the end of the barrel is clear. It dries super fast and leaves no residue.


You do run a patch afterwards with CLP or other oil, dont you?

[JA]

I have a zip lock baggie with one patch and a 4"x4" piece of a t-shirt soaked with CLP in it. I use the rag to wipe all my guns down inside and out and the patch to run throught the bores.

[torque65]

.... because you have no choice with an AK, you clean it from the muzzle end ....
So I've been doing it wrong all this time?

I don't use "patches", per se, but torn to fit chunks of paper towel.
The really "good" guns get old diaper patches.