my first K-31

[lawson]

today when i went to visit my dad, he gave me a Swiss K-31 he got as part of a trade, since he knows how much i love milsurps.

it was dirty as all hell on the outside, i didn't expect much out of it. after a deep cleaning, i realized it was in pretty good functional shape. once cleaned, the barrel was sparkling, perfect rifling. all parts matching. i noticed a crack in the stock, which had previously been repaired with a wooden peg that runs the entire width of the stock. it appears to be holding just fine. underneath the buttplate was a tag with the serial #, and some writing in a language i don't speak.

i can't find any 7.5 swiss in any local shops, so i'm gonna track some down. i can't wait to shoot it.

 

[BillinNH]

K31s had the name of the soldier to which it was issued on a piece of paper under the buttplate.

Bill

 

[lawson]

K31s had the name of the soldier to which it was issued on a piece of paper under the buttplate.

Bill

that makes a lot of sense. it has what looks like a european address, and another word that's underlined, probably a last name. thanks for the info.

 

[jayhway]

I've bought 7.5 Swiss from this guy. He's got good prices and throws in some chargers.

http://www.dansammo.com/ammo.asp

 

[Bridger]

www.aimsurplus.com also has 7.5 Swiss, the GP11 surplus. Wolf also released some repackaged Privi-partisan brand ammo under their "Wolf Gold" line

 

[BsChoy]

www.aimsurplus.com also has 7.5 Swiss, the GP11 surplus. Wolf also released some repackaged Privi-partisan brand ammo under their "Wolf Gold" line

Bridger, is the 8mm stuff they sell at AIM corrosive do you know?? At the price I would say so

 

[rust collector]

Welcome to the K31 club

Be careful, the danged things are habit forming.

Good basic information is available here: http://www.surplusrifle.com/swissk31/index.asp

Additional fascinating facts can be found here:
http://www.swissrifles.com/

There are also places that will help you decipher and contact the former custodian of your rifle. I have 3 tags, but have not tried to contact anyone yet.

The Wolf/Prvi Partizan ammo sounds like good stuff, but was sold out at Sportsman's Guide earlier. The GP11 is very accurate, but berdan primed and so more of a hassle to reload. Takes a standard 30 cal bullet, so reloading boxer primed brass is not a problem.

You can also get clamp on scope mounts or scout mounts if you're so inclined. Extracted empties go straight up, so you can catch em if you get good at it. Otherwise, a cap or hat is advised. Ripping the bolt back toward your face takes a little getting used to, but works well thereafter.

Welcome to fun in a gun!

 

[lawson]

Be careful, the danged things are habit forming.

Good basic information is available here: http://www.surplusrifle.com/swissk31/index.asp

Additional fascinating facts can be found here:
http://www.swissrifles.com/

There are also places that will help you decipher and contact the former custodian of your rifle. I have 3 tags, but have not tried to contact anyone yet.

The Wolf/Prvi Partizan ammo sounds like good stuff, but was sold out at Sportsman's Guide earlier. The GP11 is very accurate, but berdan primed and so more of a hassle to reload. Takes a standard 30 cal bullet, so reloading boxer primed brass is not a problem.

You can also get clamp on scope mounts or scout mounts if you're so inclined. Extracted empties go straight up, so you can catch em if you get good at it. Otherwise, a cap or hat is advised. Ripping the bolt back toward your face takes a little getting used to, but works well thereafter.

Welcome to fun in a gun!

i used the instructions on surplusrifle to strip and clean it. definitely one of my favorite websites. i'm really impressed by the k31 so far, even though i haven't even shot it. it's a very well designed rifle. this is my fourth milsurp, and likely to be a favorite.

 

[Cosmoline]

that makes a lot of sense. it has what looks like a european address, and another word that's underlined, probably a last name. thanks for the info.

You can sometimes find the fellow. A number of people over on the Swiss rifle forums have tracked down the previous owners, who were surprised to find their old carbines in the hands of Americans. I found the son of the former owner of one of mine.

 

[Bridger]

Bridger, is the 8mm stuff they sell at AIM corrosive do you know?? At the price I would say so

Treat all 8mm surplus as corrosive is the general advice, and as far as I know every bit that AIM has is corrosive. It's no big deal, just add the step of hot water down the bore and on the bolt face after a day of shooting. Dry off and clean as regular.