Swiss K31 (Pictures!)

[The_Next_Generation]

Hey everyone,

A few days ago I made a thread in the shotgun forum about a deal on an 870 that ended up falling-through. Well, I took that money and bought something even better (IMO)

Those last two pictures are of the tag that was underneath the buttplate. For those of you that don't know, this is the name and info of the guy that this rifle was originally issued to.

I was at my local range/club to hang out and test some loads in my 1911 when my buddy (the RSO) told me about a rifle that I may like to see that was in the for-sale closet (its almost my favorite place on Earth, think of it like a walk-in classifieds/Armslist!). The rest is history...









From the S/N it dates to 1954. The numbers on the stock, barrel, receiver, magazine and bolt all match. Also, for the $275 I paid it came with a set of Lee dies for 7.5x55, 15 pieces of Gaff brass, and 16 rounds of Norma SP (forget the weight, but the 20rd box says $49.99 from 2009! ).

I wish it had the walnut stock, but I think I still did pretty well. The bluing underneath the wood is perfect, the muzzle/crown is perfect, and the bore is mirror with nice rifling. The only flaw is that the hand-guard rings are a little rusty/pitted, but I can live with that for $275...

Anything about these rifles that I should know? I will be reloading for it, but I also plan on getting a case or two of GP11 surplus while its still cheap-ish (I hear its darn-good ammo, as in near match-grade). I've seen some clamp-on scope mounts for these rifles, do they mar the finish in anyway? Are they accurate? I don't want to bubba-up this gun, but if I can mount a scope and still return it to its original condition that would be fun (heck, maybe I'll show up at a match with it and throw a wrench in the gears of the tacticool-crowd )

 

[jolly roger]

Congrats. Mine is an excellent shooter

 

[Mikee Loxxer]

You will find this rifle to be an excellent shooter. Both the clamp on scope mount and diopters may mare the finish but who cares! These rifles are meant to be shot. And yes do take it to a match and shoot it. There's nothing like showing up others with an old, wood stocked, military surplus rifle

 

[sixgunner455]

Mine is from 1934 and is, bar none, the most accurate military bolt action I've fired. And more fun than a barrel of monkeys!

 

[Canuck-IL]

The steel or aluminum no-drill mounts are excellent ... http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/vendor/vendorId/159

I use the Redding K-31 specific dies; Hornady also offers a set. The Lee and RCBS dies are actually for the various 1896/11 models - opinions vary around the rumor-net but I'd guess a plurality assert that the Lee and RCBS dies will overwork the brass - definitely shootable though.

OAL for handloading should end up around 2.8 - 2.9 ... nowhere near the 3.0+ length found in many manuals - - the GP-11 ammo used a very long-slim bullet - using more commonly available 308 bullets, you'll seriously jam them in the throat at 2.90+ OAL. Berger does offer a few VLD designs than are more similar to the long GP ammo.

The straight pull bolt provides a lot less force when chambering than a conventional design - full length sizing is advised - you won't get away with only neck sizing more than once.

/Bryan

 

[The_Next_Generation]

Thanks for the info on the dies and sizing Canuck, I will definitely keep that in mind once I get started. I am away from my manual (Lyman 49th) at the moment, but I will look at it when I get home.

Glad to hear everyone enjoy's their rifles!

 

[Laphroaig]

I put a Swiss Products aluminum clamp-on mount on one of mine. It did not mar the bluing that I saw anyway. If I remember, Brownells sell them. That mount is definitely a bonus for load testing and if you wanted to compete where scopes are allowed. I'd never drill and tap one of these rifles.

Laphroaig

 

[Palehorseman]

They are indeed a wonderful rifle, the machine work alone is a joy for me to behold. The last G-11 milsurp ammo I bought was mfg. in 1994, and I have read that may be the year for last of it.

This is mine, mfg. in 1942, walnut stocked and refurbed in 1954 with new barrel installed, scoped it with St. Marie clamp on mount.

 

[Canuck-IL]

I am away from my manual (Lyman 49th) at the moment ...

THe 48th Ed. didn't include 7.5 Swiss - don't think the 49th has it either. Hornady manuals have included ... most of their bullets are tested at 2.815 - 2.91 but a few are listed at 3.025 ... I'd definitely test those latter sizes for chamber fit before heading to the range.
/B

 

[The_Next_Generation]

Palehorseman, that is a nice looking rifle! I'm jealous of that walnut stock...looks like I might have to add another K31!

Canuck, I will definitely check chamber fit. Fortunately, I have access to one of those tools that allow you to insert a specially-made cartridge with your choice of projectile into the chamber. You put the bullet in the case mouth so it is just barely held in, then you push the assembly into the chamber with a rod that threads into the primer pocket (of the special casing). When you pull the whole thing out you can measure the exact COL to get the bullet just touching the lands.

I forget what its called, but I saw a guy using it on a 308 when I bought my rifle. I checked and they had a tool for the 7.5x55

Laphroaig, I'm glad to hear you are happy with your aluminum mount. What kind of accuracy do you get? What kind of scope+ring combo do you use? Have you noticed any flex in the aluminum? I would think aluminum is ideal as far as preservation goes, as steel may stratch things up easier. Of course the aluminum wouldn't be as stiff.

 

[Laphroaig]

T_N_G,

I put a set of steel Burris 1" .22 rings on, to fit the 3/8 dovetail. I then mounted a 2 x 7 Nikon Prostaff. Accuracy was approx. 1 1/2 MOA. I tried handloads with IMR 4350 and Re 17 as well as GP11. I remember my 4350 handloads being slightly better than the others. The projectile was 168 SMK.

As for the aluminum vs. steel issue, I brought that up as a question on the Swiss Rifles Message Board. An engineer type pointed out that airplanes are made of aluminum so I shouldn't be concerned with a scope mount. Plus its about $20 cheaper.

Laphroaig

 

[HammsBeer]

Very excellent rifles with precision machining you rarely find nowadays.

My beechwood '51 and tiger striped walnut '42...

 

[The_Next_Generation]

Laphroaig, that's what I was thinking. In addition to airplanes, AR15 uppers are made of aluminum and I'm able to get some pretty stellar results outta mine

HammsBeer, those rifles are goregous! The trigger pull on my rifle is very crisp and is comparable to my CMC 3.5lb trigger in my AR15, how are the ones in your rifles?

I love it when I buy something that I don't know much about, and it turns out to be awesome!

 

[HammsBeer]

Thanks! The triggers are the best of any rifles I own. The Swiss considered each soldier a sniper, and with rifles like these they were. I don't have a pull gauge, but I'd guess the break is about 6 lbs with virtually no creep. GP11 ammo is very consistent stuff too.

 

[chicharrones]

That's a nice K31, TNG.