New project!

MacGonnigal

MacGonnigal

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Recently I have been doing a lot of reading/research on military surplus rifles, and finally decided to hunt down a K31. It arrived via post today. This is my first milsurp and I have to admit that when I opened the box I was amazed and a little awestruck. I've been shooting modern firearms for quite a while (mainly handguns), but this old beauty is a whole nuther thing entirely. It's a 1940, and from a quick inspection the metal bits are in fine shape. The bore is shiny and sharp. The walnut stock has it's share of "history" on it, which I'm going to carefully preserve when I clean it. I just can't wait to get started. I feel like I've been given a rare privilege in taking over the care and feeding of this fine beast.
K31005a.jpg

K31006a.jpg
 
MacGonnigal said:
Recently I have been doing a lot of reading/research on military surplus rifles, and finally decided to hunt down a K31. It arrived via post today. This is my first milsurp and I have to admit that when I opened the box I was amazed and a little awestruck. I've been shooting modern firearms for quite a while (mainly handguns), but this old beauty is a whole nuther thing entirely. It's a 1940, and from a quick inspection the metal bits are in fine shape. The bore is shiny and sharp. The walnut stock has it's share of "history" on it, which I'm going to carefully preserve when I clean it. I just can't wait to get started. I feel like I've been given a rare privilege in taking over the care and feeding of this fine beast.
K31005a.jpg

K31006a.jpg
Click to expand...

does the bayo have the matching serial #?
 
here are my "Swiss twins"

002-1.jpg

004.jpg

001.jpg

006.jpg

003-1.jpg

013.jpg

014.jpg


they are beutifully and extremely well made military rifles.

Yes, they have the serial number matching bayos.

sorry, the pictures are kind of blurry
 
buckfever12 said:
Those are beauties....where can i find one of those?
Click to expand...

shooting edge sold them in 2009, think they are gone now...
price was great; first one was $400 and second was $500.
both came with the # matching bayo, which by itself sells for $115 nowadays.
 
buckfever12 said:
Those are beauties....where can i find one of those?
Click to expand...

I got mine from Down East Trading, a subsidiary of Joe Salter. I think they still have a few left. I paid $250 for the rifle itself, and bought the other accessories separately from different sources.

Polaris, those are flat out beautiful rifles. Did you refinish them yourself?
 
Mfg date

OK, I just took the butt plate off to see if the rifle had an owner's tag (it didn't), but noticed it has stamped into the end grain: "VIII 42"
Does that mean it was built August of 1942? I had used the serial number to match up with a chart from another website that indicated it would have been built in 1940, but now I'm not sure. Anybody know?
 
MacGonnigal said:
I got mine from Down East Trading, a subsidiary of Joe Salter. I think they still have a few left. I paid $250 for the rifle itself, and bought the other accessories separately from different sources.

Polaris, those are flat out beautiful rifles. Did you refinish them yourself?
Click to expand...

to clean them up it took little effort only, clean the wood and apply some truoil instead of the shellac.

They all clean up very nicely.
 
MacGonnigal said:
OK, I just took the butt plate off to see if the rifle had an owner's tag (it didn't), but noticed it has stamped into the end grain: "VIII 42"
Does that mean it was built August of 1942? I had used the serial number to match up with a chart from another website that indicated it would have been built in 1940, but now I'm not sure. Anybody know?
Click to expand...


That stock was made in August(VIII) 1942. Most were aged two years before being matched up to a receiver.
The Swiss replaced or repaired whatever was needed during the service life of the rifle. That Rifle, like most of them was refurbished to like new condition and the stocks would have been numbered to the action. Do you have a two digit number on the tang? That would be the year of the refurb.
 
diopter said:
That stock was made in August(VIII) 1942. Most were aged two years before being matched up to a receiver.
The Swiss replaced or repaired whatever was needed during the service life of the rifle. That Rifle, like most of them was refurbished to like new condition and the stocks would have been numbered to the action. Do you have a two digit number on the tang? That would be the year of the refurb.
Click to expand...

Thanks! There are no numbers on the tang, though.
 
Next step

I took some time the past few days to work on this rifle, and she's ready for the range now. First thing was to clean up the stock. I used antique furniture refinisher, stain, antique danish oil followed by TruOil top coat. I didn't try to sand out the dents and scratches, cause I like them! I reblued the metal parts that needed it with Super Blue. The leather sling, and the bayonet frog were both old, stiff and grimy. I got after them with the saddle soap several times, and then hand rubbed in the mink oil. Lots of grime came out of them, and now they're flexy and clean again. For the working parts, I cleaned them out thoroughly and applied new synthetic grease. Very smooth action, I must say.

Today the permanent registration arrived from the firearm center, so it's going to be range day very soon.

RefinishedK31picBb.jpg
 
range day

I took this rifle to the range today to test fire it and get a feel for it. I set up a target at 100 yards and got busy. First few were about 3" too far to the right. Couple taps to the front sight and tried again. Bingo. I was shooting GP11, and I'd heard it was accurate ammo. It definitely is. So is this rifle!

Overall, this is a TOTALLY fine rifle! Recoil is moderate. Sort of in the same ballpark as a .308. The action is surprisingly smooth, too. First shell I ejected flew quite a ways into the next booth, so I have to ease the bolt back a little slower when I'm at the range. :)

Anyhow, if you're thinking about getting a military surplus rifle, I'd definitely suggest these K31s.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom