I have a AK74. When I clean with a brass rod and jag pushing from the chamber I’ve noticed that the rod is at an angle because the rod cannot be totally level when inserting. Will this cause any damage? I don’t see how it would be possible to get the rod in on a level plane.
AK’s were meant to br cleaned from the muzzle.
Get a muzzle guide.
Or just forget about that stuff and use a pull-through method.
That’s what I do. In fact, all of my cleaning rods are sitting in my safe.
The cap off the issue cleaning kit acts as a muzzle guide, that’s why it has a hole in the end.
True, works great on an AK-47 or an AKM, but not an AK-74 with a 24mm threaded front sight block.
Thanks guys…but muzzle guide and pull through? I’m lost…be specific for a noob. Thanks.
I use a Boresnake
And this is a bore guide…it slips over the cleaning rod, then you attach your brush to the rod and clean from the muzzle. The guide keeps the rod centered and won’t let it drag on the muzzle.
http://secure.armorholdings.com/kleen-bore/product376.html
Or, as NCPatrol stated, a Boresnake is a kind of pull-through.
In the 3rd World, an AK is lucky to get cleaned, but most of the time when they are, guys are using boot laces with knots in them soaked in diesel.
Automatic transmission fluid makes for a nice lube…
Oops! Forgot the OP had a '74 not a '47. That’s what I get for reading too fast.:o
If I’m using a jag. Is it important to buy pre cut patches to fit properly?
You can save yourself a lot of trouble by simply using a boresnake. It won’t require a bore guide. Don’t get rid of the rods. You might need one someday to clear an obstruction from the bore
Boresnake, or look into an Otis cleaning kit.
This is probably a stupid question but what size brushes are you guys using for 5.45? I’ve been using a 5.56 brush, is that bad?
That’s what I’ve used; you’re fine, no worries.
Use the Israeli method. Piss down the barrel and use unsalted butter for lube.
Brick
Just don’t use anything like 90w diff oil, they’ll smell you coming a mile away. God that shit smells. 
I use boresnakes in everything but shotguns these days. Seems to work well for me and a lot easier than rods…
Boresnakes for everything including shotguns!