Swiss K31

kawicrash

kawicrash

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
50   0   0
Location
Winnipeg, Mb.
I've been looking at getting my first K31, but I have 0 experience with them, and I'm wondering if there are any specific issues to look for when buying.
I have lots of exposure to other milsurps over the years, so I have a good idea what to look for as far as wood, metal, barrel and general condition, but was just wondering if there was anything I should be on the lookout for with the K31.
I have heard wonderful thing about the rifles and ammo, and I want to experience it for myself.
They are available locally for $299.99. Fair price? I've looked on the EE, but there wasn't very much available right now.
Thanks.
 
299 is as good as it's gonna get.
Matching numbers, good bore and stock condition are things to look for. I would pick one with a muzzle cap and ask to see if there is a soldiers name tag under the butt plate. Very cool rifles!
 
I purchased a K31 from WSS not even a week ago. Bought a case of GP11 ammo too. I had it out to the range yesterday for a quick trip just to make sure it shot decent.

My couple 100y 5-shot groups were just over two inches....with iron sights! I can't say much so far other than it can shoot, and for $300 I would recommend everyone who doesn't own one to go buy one...now!

Edit: Mine came with a sling, but no bayonette or muzzle cap. It did however have the troop tag under the buttplate! That was a nice find.
 
Buy it. And pick up at least one "battle pack" of ammo, more if you can afford it. GP11 surplus ammo would make most "Match Grade" factory ammo makers weep with envy.

$299 is about the current going rate for them.

Just a great, accurate milsurp. I have yet to see one in bad shape, so not sure what to recommend for "things to look for" on them. Most will be fairly marked up near the butt-plate (lots of reasons for this) and the wood might not look great, but so long as the bore looks good and has strong rifling, these are almost universally well maintained rifles, with very few "gotcha" examples out there (there might be one or two out there, but I haven't heard of it).
 
The 'gotchas' are few and far-between indeed - 1944-made K31s with a phosphated finish to the op rod. That's the flat piece of metal to which the knobs are attached. The metallurgy was changed due to wartime exigencies, and it was found that the lug was prone to breaking off, leaving you with a non-rotating bolt.

By now, most of them seem to have been replaced during the usual PM programme employed by the Swiss over the last seventy-one years. It is VERY unlikely that you'll ever see one. I live in Yoorup and shoot in Switzerland, and I've only seen one in an armourer's tool box.

tac

PS - now join www.swissrifles.com
 
Very rare, Only seen once, but suspect it was a partial cause of a K31 blown receiver using Pistol powder and Cast loads.

Only thing to really check for is if there is a crack on right side of receiver on rail where operating rod travels inside of.
We concluded these cracks were most likely due to the old habit of Swiss Soldiers put their rifles across train seats to make more seating down the isle of the train.

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/carlosdiaopter/slideshow/K31 crack
 
Thanks everybody.
Just talked to WSS, they have 28 in stock, I'm going to head over after work today. Oooh man they're gonna' hate me, because of course I'm going to want the nicest one, and I can guarantee its gonna' be #28!
 
kawicrash said:
Thanks everybody.
Just talked to WSS, they have 28 in stock, I'm going to head over after work today. Oooh man they're gonna' hate me, because of course I'm going to want the nicest one, and I can guarantee its gonna' be #28!
Click to expand...

Look for the young guy with glasses. Because the old dogs at the Wpg counter don't want to be pulling out more than one rifle. Especially if it isn't a Tikka.
 
Diopter, wasn't there a liklyhood of the bolt op guide rod on one year of the K31 being susceptible to cracking? 1942-43 if I remember reading. Maybe my terminology isn't correct?
 
Might want to see if they have some chargers for the K31 too - unless you like paying lots of bucks for spare magazines......

It's a great rifle, and scary accurate!
 
Chargers only recently became readily accessible which are reproductions. It's been all hand loading by owners before that.
 
Anyone can load the magazine without using the chargers, either round by round through the top, or remove mag and push rounds in through the small lips.
 
I have a 3 of the original chargers, and 5 of the polymer repros Corwin-Arms carries. Handy for service rifle shoots (reloading is on the clock), but otherwise not very useful. If you leave ammo in the chargers (either the originals or repros) rolling around loose in a backpack or bag, the ammo will come loose and a round or two will drop out. That could probably be solved by the proper ammo pouches (or something close), but that's a bit more than I need. For service rifle shoots I just keep a couple chargers ready to go in my breast pocket.

Ask around on the EE, you might get lucky on some originals (I got 3 for $10 earlier this year - which only seems expensive until you see what they cost retail), or pick up some repros from Corwin-Arms.

https://www.corwin-arms.com/product/k31-schmidt-rubin-rifle-polymer-stripper-clip
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom