Swiss K31

[doughnut]

Any of you folks own or have experience with the Swiss K31. Everything I've read about them leads me to believe that they are a well made and accurate rifle in the surplus C&R category. I've had the opportunity to check several out in person and I love the straight pull action. I haven't had the chance to fire one, yet, and I'd like input from those of you who have fired or owned a K31. Thanks.

Matt

[DWARREN123]

A good K-31 rifle can be a dream gun. Ammo is expensive, for a mil-surp, and going up. Takes a little practice to get use to the straight pull bolt action.

Just my opinion.

[The Rabbi]

I owned one and while not a rifle guy it was a terrific gun. Only reason I sold it was because I just didnt have much use for it. Great trigger. Someone said that if you were to go design and build an identical rifle today from scratch it would sell for over $20000. I dont doubt it.

[Guest ordonnanzgewehr]

The Rabbi is right on!

The Swiss K31's are now what the Swedish Mausers used to be 15 or so years ago. Used to be able to pick up very good condition M96 Mausers for under a hundred bucks. The K31's were like that here until very recently but are now going for around $185. These guns are built for accuracy. Interestingly the Swiss shooting clubs had some input in the development of the Schmidt Rubin Series. Shooting is the Swiss national sport. The reciprocating "straight pull" action is very quick. The ejection pattern is straight up and to the rear. In pictures you'll see Civilian Swiss shooters with wide brimmed hats. You'll understand why after you cycle a few empties out of the chamber. The brass has a tendency to bean you right in the fore head. Don’t let this discourage you however. These beautifully crafted and maintained rifles are an awesome value. My advice: Read my motto below…

[Guest sagebrushjim]

Very Accurate Rifles... Here is a Pic of a couple that I have ...

[Guest Crunchman]

I've owned a couple, but let 'em go on trades for Mausers. Not that I didn't like the rifle, just that I like Mausers better. They are very accurate and built like the proverbial Swiss watch. Ammo is expensive, but you can mitigate that a little by getting some Graf's brass and bullets and building your own. The bonus with Swiss rifles is occasionally finding the previous soldier's name tag under the butt plate.

[Guest Centennial]

K-31s are great rifles. I bought one several years ago and the craftsmanship is outstanding. Mine has an excellent bore and shoots quite well with the available milsurp ammo. The stocks tend to be a bit beat-up, but the metal work is generally in excellent condition. One of these days, I'm going to get around to loading some ammo for it...

[Guest ordonnanzgewehr]

I forgot to mention that finding ammo is no problem. Brand new, boxer primed, quality ammo can be had for under 12 bucks a box.

See for yourself: http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/copy_of_7_5swiss.html

[Magiccarpetrides]

classicarms.us has some of these in stock.

[Guest pelican]

I have had a K-31 for a couple of years now. They are the SWEETEST shooting old military rifle out of the box ever! A trigger you would pay good money to get on any hunting rifle and the staight pull action is way quicker than any regular bolt gun. You don't have to take your eye off target.

All that said, ammo is an issue. Getting a little pricey for milsurp, but it is available, about .50 a round. Not too bad. Hunting ammo is getting close to .80-.85 a round. Of course reloading will help this alot.

Lots of history with these guns, some come with original owners name tag.

The fact that none of these guns has ever seen combat, have never been refurbished, and were kept usually to one owner/ user.

These are the most primo milsurp rifles I have ever seen.

Mine is a 1934 vintage, 74 years old and will shoot with any other military rifle out of the box.

Do I like'em? Yeah, you could say that. I have gone though most of the other WWII surplus rifles and only retain th e K-31 and a $75.00 Mosin M-44. The M44 is cheap to shoot and is fun to introduce to new shooters to the wonderful world of milsurp rifles. A big bang!

Sorry to ramble, but the K-31 really is a special treat to us older shooters. They don't make 'em like this any more.

Thanks, Robert

[Mark@Sea]

Matt,

I may be able to make it home for a weekend early in May. If so, and if you'd care to drive over to Kingsport, you can shoot one of mine. I have my own range, it'll cost you just what I paid for the ammo (about 50 cents a pop, I think).

Wideners, in JC, has the K31's - walk in price is about $200, and they usually have 4 or 5 on the rack so you can do your own 'hand-pick'. They also have the ammo, at about the prevailing rate.

Three things going for the K31. The rifles are (as I'm sure you've noticed) very well designed and machined. They were also well maintained - hard to find one with a bad bore. Lastly, the ammo is incredibly consistent, which means repeatable accuracy.

Okay, four things - forgot the fun factor. Straight-pull bolts are a hoot.

PM me with contact info if you're interested in shooting one of mine...

Mark