K31 - diopter sights or scope ?

OR4NGE

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I love my k31 so much, was just wondering what were the avantages of installing diopter sights ( i’ve never used these) compared to installing a red dot or 1-5x scope on a badace mount.

Share your experience !
 
Diopter sights are easy to add/adapt to the rifle and offer an excellent sighting system that offers adjustability for POA/MPI, however they are after all, still iron sights offering no magnification. However, no further modification will be needed, and you can use the strippers to resupply the magazine as well.

Any scope and scope mount you add will need to account for a riser for proper cheek weld, operation of the bolt, ejection of brass, proper eye relief and extra mags for reloading (possibly). IMHO, it can be made to work, but it's awkward.

I've adapted one of mine with scope and cheek riser, but I prefer the rifle with irons as it was intended.
 
If you want to get a mount, I suggest you get one of those st marie k31 mount. It's a clamp on action, which dont require permanent modification of the rifle. Also, you can put common scope with low-medium eye relief.
 
I purchased a clamp on scope mount and stuck an old but clear Tasco on it. I made no other mods to the gun and found it worked just fine for me. I don't find it awkward to shoot and it gives me a clear sight picture for my aging eyes.
It's not a permanent mod and is easily taken off for sale.The mount was cheaper than a set of diopter sights as well.
I own and use aperture sights on other rifles, a Sharps for instance, that aren't easily scoped but accept that my vision limitations won't let me get the best out of them at times.
 
I have a steel Swiss arms Side mt on mine with a 6x Leupold in Burris steel .22 rings.Accuracy wise it only cut 1/4" off the irons coming in at just under .70" 3 shot groups at 100 yards. Dropped a mule deer with it a couple years back............bang/flop
 
I have one of the slide on (replaces the rear sight) mounts that Calgary Shooting Centre was selling a few years ago. Works well and no permanent alteration to the rifle.
 
How old are you?

If 40 or more, a scope is best.

I have the clamp on base that goes on the right receiver rail. I am told I can still use the stripper clip. Have not tried that. But it makes the rifle a pleasure to use with my old eyes.
 
I think it depends on your interest. I have a couple K31's but with one fitted with an older German-made diaopter, dampener and bi-pod fitted to one of them but no scopes. I think if you enjoy the challenge of a traditional iron sight like a diopter (Swiss competitors shot competitions with diopters for years) then have some fun. Point taken if your aging eye sight complicates things and you have that one shot to bring down that stag then go with a scope provided you've sighted it. I have to say however that in spite of my blurring vision I still enjoy shooting with the diopter. Somehow it just feels like the real thing to me with a little less technology. If you can find a second hand diopter set it could save you a bit of cash.
 
There is alot of great advice here. How old you are, ie how is your eyesight? What sort of shooting, what distance etc. We shoot out to 300m at our club with diopters and it's very satisfying. All my other rifles have scopes, so it's nice to have something without one. If you get a scope mount though, make sure the cases eject properly and don't fall back into the chamber or hit the scope on the way out ... you won't be happy with that.
 
If you want to become a better shooter, the diopter really forces your to re-learn the basics properly and continuously.
If you just want to have an easy way to possibly shoot smaller groups, then your better off with a scope.

I use both. Scope to tune the rifle and diopters to compete. Scopes not allowed in Swiss rifle competitions

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How old are you?

If 40 or more, a scope is best.

I have the clamp on base that goes on the right receiver rail. I am told I can still use the stripper clip. Have not tried that. But it makes the rifle a pleasure to use with my old eyes.

Yes I talk to Pierre (Swiss Products) about that on the first prototypes. I asked/convinced him to bevel the top so the thumb would not meet a 90° edge on the scope mount when using the chargers.
That bevel also makes it easier to insert the chargers into the action with both the diopters and scope mounts
 
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