With muzzle in a safe direction and finger off trigger, remove magazine. Pull bolt handle back to ensure that firearm is unloaded. Remove receiver cover by depressing the latch in the rear. Lift receiver cover off. Remove recoil spring and recoil spring guide. Pull bolt carrier back and out of receiver. Separate bolt and bolt carrier. Push up on lever on side of rear sight base. Lift up gas tube. Disassembly is complete. Reassembly in reverse order.
My apologies for these sorry instructions but I'm doing this from my fading (geritol) memory. Someone else who is more articulate can help fill in the gaps (or direct you to an AK website which I know is out there somewhere).
A great book to have which is cheap at Barnes & Noble is, W.H.B. Smith's, "Small Arms of the World." If you can have no other books on firearms, it is the ONE book to have. It'll tell you how to assemble, disassemble (good photos) virtually all military firearms, explain how they work and give you some insights in the historical development of it. It's now in the 12th edition and unfortunately Dr. Ezell passed away before he could update it. I think it's going for under $20 (hardcover).
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