Swiss K-31.....Tell me about it!

Status
Not open for further replies.
3

308sc

Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2008
Messages
521
Location
Elgin, South Carolina
So I have seen some of these "K-31 Swiss" rifles that are said to be very accurate. Is it worth buying one of these? What is the history behind these guns? Where is the best place to purchase one? Is the 7.5x55mm round worth adding to my collection? Are they worth that $200 plus dollars?

So I just had some questions about this interesting rifles! Any answers?

308sc
 
So I have seen some of these "K-31 Swiss" rifles that are said to be very accurate
Click to expand...
they are

What is the history behind these guns?
Click to expand...

the swiss used a version of the Schmidt-Rubin from 1889 to 1957 as the MBR. and carried them into the 1970's in some units. the K31 is the last in the line. a carbine holding 6 shots. straight pull action
heres more info
http://www.swissrifles.com/sr/


Are they worth that $200 plus dollars?
Click to expand...
yes
 
When you buy one make sure to check under the butt plate. You might just find enough previous owner information to actually get in touch with the Swiss soldier who was issued your rifle.

I received a nice letter (in German) and a couple of pictures of the soldier with the K31.

k3111ug.jpg
 
worth $250 out the door last month. bbl is mirror, metal is 98%--wood has no cracks or major anything i can find--albeit who know what is hidden under 6 decades or more of handling marks:rolleyes: trigger is almost match grade and gp11 ammo ($$) at 150 yards groups (sandbagged) about 3 inches. kicks like a mosin :uhoh: i got the pig sticker & the frog. great value. ps-- 3 shots at 100 yards were 1 inch, so i think my eyes limit the rifles potential
 
I was given one of the full length 1911 rifles but the barrel was rusted from neglect. I am trying to get it shooting again but the accuracy may be ruined. The barrel is soaking in Break Free as I type this.
The reason I like this rifle so much is because how natural it feels in my hands. This is absolutely the fastest action on any bolt gun. A word of warning though. If you are a tall with a long neck the thumb ring will smack you right below the right eye! I am about 5' 10" and of average build and that ring just barely misses hitting me if I maintain a proper cheek weld while cycling the bolt. BE CAREFUL! This is NOT a tall man's rifle.
 
Cool history behind these rifles from what I can tell, What website is good to buy from besides jgsales?

(not that I don't like JG its just im interested to see who else sells them)
 
Yes. Buy one. Right now. They are absolutely worth the $200+ dollars. Almost without exception, they are all in incredible condition. I bought mine back in December at a gun show for $230, and the bore was absolutely mirror-bright with sharp rifling. All numbers matching, too. I absolute love the straight-pull design. Smooth as butter spread on silk. Nice change of pace from my other boltie, the Mosin.

But I digress. The K31s are going up in price, so if you want one, buy one now. And yes, it is awesome to have that soldier tag under the buttplate.

I'd say a fair price for these rifles is around $250, depending. More alnut stock K31s were actually made than beech, but most dealers charge about $10-20 more for the walnut ones for some reason. It's up to you.

PS Samco and Classic Arms both have these rifles at decent prices.
 
godd stuff thanks for the posts guys! Im going to get one if these, if not more than one! thanks for the heads up about rising prices, when do you think they will rise? 2 months, 6 months, 1 year...etc?
 
raising now.....same condition with no accesseries now is $275 plus tax. as an aside....if you have crowns a tight cheek weld will let you know if they are aged or loose :eek:
 
Swissrifiles.com has a very indepth write up on this rifle and its variants.

I picked up a the St. Marie muzzle brake and bipod adapter for mine and it's definitely a more enjoyable shooter with at least the muzzle brake.


I "believe" the Swiss GP11 surplus ammo is reloadable - not to mention the cleaniest round I've seen, lol! I think I spend easily an hour more cleaning my Finn M39 than my K31 after a day at the range heh :p
 
That seems to be the price they are drifting into now. Three years ago I bought six for $79 ea. Wish now I had gotten a couple of dozen. I have an earlier model, 96/11 which is hands down the most accurate open sighted rifle I have shot. My eyes are not that great any longer and I can do with it almost as well as with a good sporter with a scope. My k-31's are outfitted with different sight setups, unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to test all. The Mo-Jo double aperature system seems good, (replaces front and rear sight with apeatures) as well as the fine St Marie diopter system. One sports a scope, one a Swiss Futer adjustable rear sight( worth more than the gun it is on) and one just issue sights.
 
The guns are very well made and are tack drivers. Incredible triggers and even more incredible workmanship.

Swiss GP-11 is probably the most accurate and highest quality military ammunition ever made. But is is by no means cheap.

A K-31 in decent condition is well worth $200. If you're not on a real tight budget and can afford the ammo, you'd be a fool not to buy one. As their secret of quality and accuracy continues to get out, they'll only go up in price. I paid $110 for mine about 2 years ago. I've sold off a few accurate milsurps in the past 2 years, but haven't even considered letting go of my K-31. In fact, I'll pobably buy another one soon. I want a walnut-stocked one.
 
GP-11 runs about $35 for 60, that's under $12 for 20, rounds and it's about as close to match as you can get, so I don't think it's that bad. I have bought PRVI Partisan, in reloadable brass for $14.95. So, for what it is, it IS cheap! What kind of surplus ammunition can you get for less than $10 a box now?
 
The Swiss Milsurp ammo is so clean and accurate, it should be more expensive! But right now it's only moderately more expensive. My Mosin is my favorite plinker (ammo being cheap is really the only reason, well that and the fireball.) Other than that, the K31 is my favorite shooter and I will never give that rifle away. PERIOD!

My k31 is the most accurate rifle I have ever seen, more accurate than my cousin's suped up Remmy 700 that has had more custom jobs than joan rivers' has had plastic surgery.

There you have it. Buy a Swiss.
 
If they keep rising in prices like they have been, then they're going to be real expensive in a year or two.

I bought mine a year and a half ago for $125. The stock is kinda beat up and it has 6 tally marks carved in it (can't figure out what this would be for since the Swiss didn't use it in combat) but the rest of the rifle is great.
 
I have a K31 and a full length 1911 and they are fantastic rifles. About a MOA accuracy, which isn't bad since one of the rifles was built in 1916. The standard surplus is excellent but started to get a little pricey, but you can easily reload your own ammo with just about any .308 bullet.

The design might not have the cam power of some rifles, but it is beautifully put together into a fine rifle and typically well looked after. Mine 1911 is in near perfect condition, though it did see a refit back in 1928 and went into retirement with the owner, before being imported back in the 50s and I love it.

The K31 is shorter and handier, but they are both so well balanced the added weight really doesn't feel as heavy as the rifles are. My 10ib 1911 feels lighter and more manageable than my Lee Enfields and both rifles have excellent triggers and the K31s can get a peep sight that attaches to them that make them fantastic match rifles.
 
They stink. You don't want one. You definitely do NOT want to scoop up these excellent value, highly accurate rifles at gun shows and such, leaving less for me to buy. :p
 
They are excellent shooters and are in great shape, although the stocks often appear "beaver chewed".

I sure am glad I got mine a couple of years ago. I love it.
 
I've bought several of them for around $100. That being said, I wouldn't hesitate to pay $200 for one or even $250 for one with a really good stock.


GP-11 ammo isn't cheap or simple to reload, but its still less than a $1 per round. Compare that to Federal Gold Medal Match ammo in .308, $0.60/ per round doesn't sound very bad and is at least as good as the Federal stuff. The K-31 is one on the very short list of surplus rifles where the potential of match grade ammo isn't wasted on.
 
Widener's currently lists 158 in stock at $185 each. A few pics up but no definitive grading - probably worth a phone call though as these are drying up.

http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=7347&dir=700|701

I got 3 last year (Classic Arms + private sale) for $170 - 180 ... very satisfied, great metal, the wood *can* be cleaned up, depends upon personal viewpoint about historical accuracy, etc.etc. Easy to load for after you save/scrounge the brass, excellent accuracy!
/Bryan
 
My K31 is easily the most accurate milsurp i own. Only the Swedish mausers can really challenge it. I love it, even if they are really touchy about cartridge OAL, especially with American .308 bullets which are shaped different than the needle-like bullets in their GP-11 match ammo.

Best banger for the buck in milsurps, hands down, but the prices are starting to climb lately.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
ST. MARIE SWISS K-31 CLAMP-ON MOUNT
Replies
5
Views
746
MechAg94
M
T
  • Locked
Swiss K-31
Replies
24
Views
1K
Afy
A
M
  • Locked
K.31 Swiss Rifle
2 3 4
Replies
75
Views
4K
CHEVELLE427
CHEVELLE427
O
  • Locked
Swiss Ruben K-31 7.5mm
2
Replies
32
Views
2K
CHEVELLE427
CHEVELLE427
G
  • Locked
Swiss Rifles
Replies
18
Views
2K
dh1633pm
dh1633pm
Back
Top