I am going to be ordering a walnut stocked k31 next week and I have a question. Does anyone know if the latest imports include any rifles made before 1936? I'm trying to figure out if I need to be concerned with whether or not the rifle has all of the improvements made to the K31.
Swiss K31 question
- Thread starter jcs77
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cbsbyte
Member
I don't believe their where any major changes to the design of the K31 throughout its long service period.
From http://www.swissrifles.com/sr
1934, the firing pin was made thinner.
1935, the receiver was hardened
1936, the magazine shell was hardened
1934, the firing pin was made thinner.
1935, the receiver was hardened
1936, the magazine shell was hardened
cbsbyte
Member
Looks like you answered your own question.
silverlance
Member
hm
is there any particular reason why you chose walnut instead of beech? how much did/will you pay for it? are you buying it online?
do tell - inquiring minds want to know.
is there any particular reason why you chose walnut instead of beech? how much did/will you pay for it? are you buying it online?
do tell - inquiring minds want to know.
Black Snowman
Member
I've gotten a hand picked walnut and it was only about as good as my standard beech I got from them. There aren't as many walnuts to pick through so you might not get a great one, but I figured I'm paying the premium for walnut so I might as well get as good as I can manage and spent the extra $10. YMMV.
FYI, both were leaps and bounds better than the two cheap "good" condition ones I got from CAI. Those I'm sporterizing so that's why I got them on the cheap. Didn't mind the rust and stock damage since they were going to be refinished and re-stocked anyway.
FYI, both were leaps and bounds better than the two cheap "good" condition ones I got from CAI. Those I'm sporterizing so that's why I got them on the cheap. Didn't mind the rust and stock damage since they were going to be refinished and re-stocked anyway.
From what I keep hearing about the condition of the remaining K31's, it sounds like I may be better off paying a little bit more for one from Simpson. At least I know what I'd be getting. Has anyone heard anything about Simpson?
Edit: I just ran across FGS and what they have on their website seems much more reasonable to me than Simpson. I'll be giving them a call sometime today to see what they have.
Edit: I just ran across FGS and what they have on their website seems much more reasonable to me than Simpson. I'll be giving them a call sometime today to see what they have.
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I just picked up a 'select' K31 from AIM a couple weeks ago. The stock is about as good as the walnut I got last year from AIM. I am not sure that or the hand pick is worth the extra money. From what I hear, the metal is generally good either way. The bore on that select is just about polished.
I got a premium grade rifle from Aim a few years ago and it's not any better than the standard grade guns I bought from Aim or FGS.
Aim offered to take it back for a refund, but after shipping expenses and my FFL transfer fee, I decided that it was not worth returning it.
In my opinion, FGS seems to have slightly nicer rifles than Aim, and Aim's premium fee is not worth the results.
Aim offered to take it back for a refund, but after shipping expenses and my FFL transfer fee, I decided that it was not worth returning it.
In my opinion, FGS seems to have slightly nicer rifles than Aim, and Aim's premium fee is not worth the results.
DonP
Member
Tiger Stripe stock
Last year I ordered one on my C&R license and paid the $10 "handpick" charge. When I opened the box I found an absolutely perfect tiger stripe walnut stock and a receiver that was as close to 98% finish as I have ever seen.
Best C&R money I ever spent.
FWIW, Sportsman's Guide has a sale going on the K-31 Swiss surplus ammo right now. It was back ordered for a while but they got more in last week. I already stocked up on a few hundred rounds. Now if only someone would do repro bayonets for them.
The bayonets cost as much as the rifles and I have no idea why, since you have to assume they made at least as many, if not more. And the K-31 bayonets don't fit the semi auto they replaced the K-31 with anyway. Go figure?
Last year I ordered one on my C&R license and paid the $10 "handpick" charge. When I opened the box I found an absolutely perfect tiger stripe walnut stock and a receiver that was as close to 98% finish as I have ever seen.
Best C&R money I ever spent.
FWIW, Sportsman's Guide has a sale going on the K-31 Swiss surplus ammo right now. It was back ordered for a while but they got more in last week. I already stocked up on a few hundred rounds. Now if only someone would do repro bayonets for them.
The bayonets cost as much as the rifles and I have no idea why, since you have to assume they made at least as many, if not more. And the K-31 bayonets don't fit the semi auto they replaced the K-31 with anyway. Go figure?
Silent Sam
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I wouldn't worry about handpick if you are paying extra for walnut. I don't think they handpick the best of 5 out of 5 walnuts. If that makes any sense. I also wouldn't worry about "improvements". They all function fine. The best shooter I have is a 1934. The rarest and most valuable are the 33's based on production #s I believe.
_N4Z_
Member
Not attempting a hijack here, but are there any people who have bought a K31 that was not a good shooter?
I, like the author of this thread, am contemplating one. Just trying to decide between a K31, a Yogo 24/47, or maybe one of the .308 Enfields.
I, like the author of this thread, am contemplating one. Just trying to decide between a K31, a Yogo 24/47, or maybe one of the .308 Enfields.
Alright. I talked to Ken at FGS and he said he had a good number of beech-stocked K31's with 90-95% metal finish. He said that the ones that he had that were in good condition were mainly from the 1950's. The stocks had some carry wear around the butt, but they didn't have any gouges, scratches, etc. So, I'm looking at $179.50 for the rifle, $15 Shipping, and a $25 FFL transfer fee.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
Frenchy
Member
FWIW!...That $25.00 transfer fee is $5.00 less than a 3-year C&R license. You might consider that next time around. 
IMHO, for your first rifle, go with the cheaper beech rifle from AIM for $120. I doubt it would shoot any worse and you can order some ammo with the extra $50. The metal on my select from AIM was in real good shape so maybe that $150 price is a good deal.
Also, AIM has a pretty good price on the Swiss GP11 ammo. I haven't seen anyone that beat it. I got a 500 round case a while back. I might convince myself to get more since I now have 2 rifles to feed.
Also, AIM has a pretty good price on the Swiss GP11 ammo. I haven't seen anyone that beat it. I got a 500 round case a while back. I might convince myself to get more since I now have 2 rifles to feed.
Frenchy
Member
I'm sure a cheaper one would shoot as well, but I want one that also looks good. I still have enough money budgeted to buy ammo and chargers.
As for cheap GP11, I can't take advantage of the sites with the cheaper ammo. AIM, Graf & Sons, Dan's Ammo, Midway USA and Ammoman require you to be 21 to order ammunition. :banghead:
It looks like I'll be ordering ammo from SOG at $23.99/60 rnds or $184/480 rnds.
I'll be ordering the K31 tommorrow .
As for cheap GP11, I can't take advantage of the sites with the cheaper ammo. AIM, Graf & Sons, Dan's Ammo, Midway USA and Ammoman require you to be 21 to order ammunition. :banghead:
It looks like I'll be ordering ammo from SOG at $23.99/60 rnds or $184/480 rnds.
I'll be ordering the K31 tommorrow
.alamo
Member
Frenchy
Member
Not a bad idea but if the reciever and bolt match, chances are pretty good that everything is OK. I personally haven't run into a C&R yet that had bad head spacing.
silverlance
Member
eh
What's "FGS"?
What's "FGS"?
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