Field-Stripping an AK-47 Rifle (and Variants)

Locate the cleaning rod, with its front end retained in a milled slot below the front sight. Grasp the rod just behind the front sight and bend it outward until it clears the retaining slot, and slide it forward until it clears the slot. You can then slide it on out of the rifle. This ends basic field-stripping, but you can proceed with a few more steps if you like.