Swede vs. Swiss ?

Preference: Swede vs. Swiss ?

  • m/96 Long Rifle & m/38 Short Rifle and such

    Votes: 35 44.9%
  • Schmidt-Rubin Model 1896 & K31 Carbine and such

    Votes: 29 37.2%
  • Meh, I feel like saying Enfield/Model 98 Mauser/whatever

    Votes: 10 12.8%
  • Other sundry response !

    Votes: 4 5.1%

  • Total voters
    78
I thought the names were interchangeable, but then kids these days seem to think that Africa is a country. :p

This is tough - I find the Swiss stuff (1896/11, K11, K31, etc.) consistently shoots better, but as for esthetics, is a distant second to the Swedish M94, M96 and M38. The workmanship for both is superb. The Swiss made a beautiful array of bayonets that are far superior esthetically to the Swedish. Both the 6.5X55 and 7.5X55 are well ahead of their time, but the 7.5X55 more so. It's essentially the first "Short Mag" and is practically identical to a modern day wildcat 30/284.

Add in the Swedish Rolling Blocks against the Vetterli and it's more complicated. I love them both, but they're worlds apart in design with the Vetterli ahead of it's time - a repeater in 1869.

Advantage Swiss.
 
Oooooooh... Hmm.

For all round use in today's world, I would take k31.
For hunting I would take the swede mauser.
For only gun I would ever own, but have access to maintenance, k31
For only gun I would ever own, but essentially use it until it breaks, Swede mauser.

Overall I would saw K31, however pre-k31 I would take swedish guns.

My reasoning:

k31 action is just slick. Strait pull, amazingly thought out design that can shoot like no other milsurp I've found. It's heavy though, due to complex design and heavy building. The 7.5x55 is neat, but doesn't really excite me like the 6.5x55. It's certainly accurate, but many cartridges are. Earlier swiss models are not as good, due to mechanical insufficiencies in my eyes.

The swede mauser in my eyes is in many ways equal to the K31. Typically very accurate (or were when new), well made, and chambered in 6.5x55. The swedish guns definitely are revolutionary in that they're one of the earliest and best bolt action designs in existance, and it took almost 40 years for the K31 to surpass them. The gun itself must have been far cheaper and less complicated to make than the K31, which would have helped arming a nation when bottle necks are to be avoided at all costs. However, on an individual level, they're simply a design that was 40 years older. To counteract that is the fact that they're chambered in 6.5x55, which is one of my favourite cartridges. Almost no recoil and super flat shooting really get my support. Of course, bullet weight tops out lower than the 7.5x55.... but I can live with that.

In the end, I own a swedish sporter in 6.5x55 and a k31 for fun :D
 
I love the craftsmanship on my Swedish mauser 96. The 6.5x55 is also a favorite of mine so I am totally biased.
 
I cant comment on the Swiss because for now i only have swedish in hands and i love them. Swedish are very well made and the 6.5x55 is wonderfull, that said, i'm looking foward to get a swiss in the futur.
 
My head says Mauser action, even though I've yet to own a Swede.
My Canadian heart (ala Ross) says straight pull action.
Both ctgs are great but the 7.5x55, as Andy says, is truly ahead of it's time.
So I'm going to have to go with Swiss.
(but I love both)
 
Strange that this has come up as I've just recently decided I really want a swiss. I own or have owned a few swedes and they are great, but I hear so many good things about the Swiss; plus I've always liked straight pull bolts better than classic bolt actions.
 
I voted for the Swede's, but that may only be because I haven't had a chance to take my new K31 out yet. I am also very partial to 6.5x55, so that may bias my choice somewhat.

Mark
 
I like the K31 better because I find the issued sights easier to shoot with and more accurate than the mauser. I also prefer a short chunky rifle. My swede CG63 with the target barrel and peep sights will of course outshoot the K31, but not by much.
 
Although the Swedes did not fire a shot in anger with their Mausers, I think the Mauser stands head and shoulders above the K-31 as a true, battle-proven design.

If I'm a front line soldier, I want a rifle that goes BOOM when I pull the trigger. Whether I am storming a beach with sand in the action. Or I'm in a shell hole with mud up to my ears. Or howling wind and snow high in the Alps.

In my mind that rifle would be the Swedish Mauser.
 
If I need to use a battle rifle, it would be a FN.
If I need to use an assault rifle, it would be an AK.
If I need to use a milsurp for target shooting, it is a K31.

If I need to feel protected, it would be a radio, to contact an AC130 gunship.
 
Back
Top Bottom