Where to buy a K31
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Manedwolf
member
From what I've heard, the bores of all of them are usually in great shape, since GP11 isn't corrosive and the troops had to keep them clean.
IMO, the walnut stock looks nicer, and I'd looked through a rack of CAI imports at a local shop for hands-on picking, since the stocks vary from "just a few dings" to "beavers have been at it" or serious water staining at the butt end. I'm also fortunate to have a local shop where the owner is smart enough to know that his customers look at the CAI website too, and only marks them up about $20, which is fine when you consider what you'd pay for shipping and transfer if you don't have a C&R.
If it was representative of the usual from Century Arms International, the one I got (made 1943) was good, since it's in great shape, rich warm-red walnut stock, and came with all matching serials, the brass muzzle cover and the original sling on it. The stock of mine seems to be unusual, since it's nearly in as good shape as you'd expect a Garand's to be. No chewing, just some bump dings and such.
Oh, yes, and CAI put their stamp waaaaaay out at the muzzle on the side of the barrel, barely visible, not dug into the side of the reciever to ruin the period aesthetics.
IMO, the walnut stock looks nicer, and I'd looked through a rack of CAI imports at a local shop for hands-on picking, since the stocks vary from "just a few dings" to "beavers have been at it" or serious water staining at the butt end. I'm also fortunate to have a local shop where the owner is smart enough to know that his customers look at the CAI website too, and only marks them up about $20, which is fine when you consider what you'd pay for shipping and transfer if you don't have a C&R.
If it was representative of the usual from Century Arms International, the one I got (made 1943) was good, since it's in great shape, rich warm-red walnut stock, and came with all matching serials, the brass muzzle cover and the original sling on it. The stock of mine seems to be unusual, since it's nearly in as good shape as you'd expect a Garand's to be. No chewing, just some bump dings and such.
Oh, yes, and CAI put their stamp waaaaaay out at the muzzle on the side of the barrel, barely visible, not dug into the side of the reciever to ruin the period aesthetics.
joab
Member
I think mine came from AIM.
Even in excellent condition expect some ugliness in the stock,
According to legend the Swiss worn boots with metal cleats and would use the butts of their rifles to knocked the snow out. This plus the way they carried the rifles in their rucks made damage to the bottom of the stocks inevitable.
From the condition of the stocks I have seen I believe the stories.
I have been happy with my purchases from AIM and SOG but have never bought form the other two
It seems that most C&Rs come through Century so the difference would be in the hand picking dept of the the supplier that you choose
Even in excellent condition expect some ugliness in the stock,
According to legend the Swiss worn boots with metal cleats and would use the butts of their rifles to knocked the snow out. This plus the way they carried the rifles in their rucks made damage to the bottom of the stocks inevitable.
From the condition of the stocks I have seen I believe the stories.
I have been happy with my purchases from AIM and SOG but have never bought form the other two
It seems that most C&Rs come through Century so the difference would be in the hand picking dept of the the supplier that you choose
SigfanUSAF
Member
K-31s
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Swiss_1931_Carbine_Schmidt_Rubin_K31_Rifle.html
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Swiss_1931_Carbine_Schmidt_Rubin_K31_Rifle_Select.html
www.southernohiogun.com (not on their website, but in their sept. dealer flyer)
http://www.classicarms.us/htm/firearms.htm
http://www.centuryarms.com/Century/home.htm (site down for maintenance)
http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_info.php?cPath=141&products_id=3701
http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?cPath=83_141
http://www.jgsales.com/product_info...midt-rubin-rifle-/cPath/291/products_id/2?SID
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Swiss_1931_Carbine_Schmidt_Rubin_K31_Rifle.html
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Swiss_1931_Carbine_Schmidt_Rubin_K31_Rifle_Select.html
www.southernohiogun.com (not on their website, but in their sept. dealer flyer)
http://www.classicarms.us/htm/firearms.htm
http://www.centuryarms.com/Century/home.htm (site down for maintenance)
http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_info.php?cPath=141&products_id=3701
http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?cPath=83_141
http://www.jgsales.com/product_info...midt-rubin-rifle-/cPath/291/products_id/2?SID
Kayak TN
Member
I picked one up from AIM about a month ago... it came through Samco as it has their stamp on the muzzle. I was impressed with the condition of the metal and the wood was about what I expected. It's a bit chewed up on the butt but no really deep gouges... 95% surface damage and nothing that can't be refinished (if you're into that kind of thing). I'm happy with it but I'm not much into C&R.
Manedwolf
member
BTW, if you get one with the muzzle cover, especially if you put a scope on it, I HIGHLY recommend you attach some sort of flag or such to the cover. (I have a Remove Before Flight keychain-sized banner on mine). 
If you're not using the front sights, it could be forgotten, and with what's essentially a .308 hitting a solid brass obstruction clamped solidly at the muzzle, well...
If you're not using the front sights, it could be forgotten, and with what's essentially a .308 hitting a solid brass obstruction clamped solidly at the muzzle, well...
rra_casper
Member
Mine came from Samco via classicarms. I love it. Beech stock in rather nice shape, metal with just a tiny bit of bluing wear on the edges, and the internals (including the bore) are absolutely flawless.
I got bitten by the surplus bug about a month ago...and here we are.
I got bitten by the surplus bug about a month ago...and here we are.
possum
Member
stage 2,
I know you listed on-line places to get the k31, but i would like to suggest that you check them out at the local gun shows. I always wait to go there to get any military surplus rifle so that way i know for sure what i am getting, and can look it over myself. i don't want to leave the decision of a good firearm, to someone who may or may not know what they are doing ya' know!
I know you listed on-line places to get the k31, but i would like to suggest that you check them out at the local gun shows. I always wait to go there to get any military surplus rifle so that way i know for sure what i am getting, and can look it over myself. i don't want to leave the decision of a good firearm, to someone who may or may not know what they are doing ya' know!
Usually, I would agree with you possum, but places like AIM and classicarms I've found to be both knowledgable and straightforward in their advertising. Plus, since its surplus, and I'm going to refinish most of the rifle, looking for that diamond in the rough isn't as important as it would be if I were buying a non-surplus firearm.
I think I'll give classic a call today.
I think I'll give classic a call today.
MannedWolf, I have a muzzle cover on my scoped K31. I do need to move it to my unscoped K31. I caught it last time I shot, but I can see where that might be a problem.
I bought two K31's from AIM and am very happy with both. The one I bought last year is a little better than the recent one. If one of the other companies will guarantee a better stock condition, that might be an option if you are interested.
I bought two K31's from AIM and am very happy with both. The one I bought last year is a little better than the recent one. If one of the other companies will guarantee a better stock condition, that might be an option if you are interested.
Blackfork
Member
Scoped K31s
What kind of scope mounts for a K31 are you guys using?
What kind of scope mounts for a K31 are you guys using?
svishooter
Member
K31
Aim Surplus had the best I bought 2
Aim Surplus had the best I bought 2
The AIM mount is clamp on and very tight in my experience. I have put 50 rounds or so down range with the scope and have noticed no issues with movement. The only trouble I have with it is the rounds don't get thrown out of the receiver. I have to reach in and pull them out. That mount clamps on the right side and gets in the way.
Manedwolf
member
It's a dotmatrix etching into the metal that clearly says who the importer was, CAI, etc.
Many put it right in the side of the reciever. CAI, at least mine, had it unobtrusively near the muzzle.
WiLLtallica
member
I wish a mod would sticky these for surplus rifles, because I have a lot of troubled finding sites like these when I want a good old mauser.
Third_Rail
Member
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FWIW, every single one of the recently imported K31s I've seen have been beautiful in terms of metal. Some have had rather beat up stocks, but mechanically they're damn near perfect.
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