K-31 Swiss - should I go for it?

Great rifles. 200 doesn't sound bad.

I bought one on gunbroker awhile back (4 plus yrs ago) for $120 bid, $20 to ship, $15 to transfer through my FFL dealer. So If you don't have to pay shipping or an FFL transfer/processing fee it sounds good to me. Their fun guns to shoot! Mine had the guys name plate with it.

yes go for it, but remember there is a search function.

1. I've heard that the butt ends of these rifles are often in poor condition. Has that been your experience? The pictures on the Samco site look really nice.

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They probably cherry pick them for the photos. When buying from a big dealer, never assume that the photo is a representative sample. "Average" condition for a K-31 is numerous dings and dents you'd expect from a decades old military rifle, which was primarily used to knock snow and ice off cleated boots. Many of them show water damage on one side from lying in the snow, or they'll have water damage to the end of the stock, from being set upright in the snow. Plus dents from being kicked, because they froze in place. And from pounding tent stakes.

2. Is it worth it to pay the extra 20 dollars to get the soldier's tag under the butt plate? Has anyone here actually ever gotten in touch with the guy who owned the rifle, from the information on that tag?

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If you want that extra history with the rifle, go for it. I have heard of a few people managing to contact the original owner. It helps if you know German and/or French, or have friends that speak those languages.

Whether extra history is worth $20 is up to you.

I can give you a hand finding the previous owner.. if he still is alive !

K-31 are nice rifles. I have a few of them. Some are beaters and others are really nice. Among my collections of K-31s, one has no serial number on bolt and one with electro-pencilled serial number on bolt sleeve. Two of them has bores that are worn out. So, I would say go for the highest grade available. The one that I shoot is really accurate and the recoil is less than the Mosin that I shoot. I don't know if there's good deal in ammo for this rifle. The surplus available is match quality so the price is up there (for a surplus). The commercial ones are average price of new manufactured cartridges of same category. I only shoot handloads on mine.

Mine had the beaver-chewed stock but I was able to sand it down to a good surface. Very accurate, almost like shooting my A3 Springfield in the fit and feel. By all means, reload for it cuz it will be cheaper in the long run and you can tailor a load for your rifle.

I'd go for it, you wont regret it!

Great rifle, from a country of great riflemen. Ammo is pricey but even the surplus 7.5 is quality stuff. $200 seems to be the going rate right now, so go for it!

The ammo is kind of pricey but readily available, but don't let that discourage. K-31s are so cool, I'd probably pay $200 for one even if I couldn't find ammo for it.

If you reload, Graf's has brass and 7.65 Swiss uses a .308 diameter bullet.

The rifles are very accurate and there are some things you can that will increase accuracy without changing the outward appearance of the gun.

They have THE BEST triggers of ANY milsurp rifle ever made, IMO.

No. I have a K-11, and the stock is in much better condition than the average unrestored K-31 I have seen. I also spotted a K-31 WITH A DARK BORE!! Unbelievable! Usually every Swiss rifle has a mint bore, even my century old 1896/11. And yes, ammunition is still available, either the Swiss GP-11 surplus or new PRVI Partisan. Both are good, the PRVI is reloadable, but isn't as common, from what I have seen. The surplus runs about $30-35 per pack of 60. It has those silver colored nickel alloy bullets, and is as close to match as any surplus you will see. The rifle if produced today, would probably cost more than $2000 to make, thats the kind of quality you are getting for your $200! I intend to get a K-31, along with my other two swiss rifles, I have just had more pressing priorities. There is even a no drill scope mount made for the rifle.

http://www.classicarms.us/

$200

Ammo is easy. Uses .308 bullets, every now and then Graf's makes a run of brass. The GP-11 is cheap, $230 for 480 rounds, that is cheaper than decent .308 now. The GP-11 is the only ammo I know of that hasn't about doubled in price in the last few years. So far my running count is four rifles, 1200 some rounds of GP-11 and 500 pieces of new brass and plenty of bullets to stuff in them. Get one now, Hit up Dan's Ammo and buy a few 480 rd packs while they still exist.

Probably one of the most accurate mlsurps out there, along with the Swede 96., and definetily the mose precisely made. No matter what the stock condition, which was related to use, this is the highest quality military rifle you can find. I have six and all had horrible looking stocks, one has a beautiful piece of flame grained walnut which would have looked fantastic on a high grade double shotgun. The Swiss 1911 stocks apparently were not as abused in training as the K-31's, most I have seen have original finish and look very good.

The Swiss GP-11 ammos is very good, some say almost match grade, I do not know but it was good enough I bought up about 5 cases before prices went up, Also bought most of my rifles about three years ago while price was in the $70 ea range. My first which is the one with the fantastic stock was a gun show pick up for an inflated price of $130, and I do not regret it, because of stock quality which was not apparent at time of purchase. This one was an example of you will not always know what you are getting , wood wise, except for type, walnut or beech, due to chewed up, stained appearance. Pictures would not always help much either. Pay your money and take your chances

there's a pretty good line of well made products for the K31 as well by St. Marie (sp?).

I've got the muzzle brake and bipod adapter for mine and it definitely makes the rifle fun to shoot.

there's a pretty good line of well made products for the K31 as well by St. Marie (sp?).

I've got the muzzle brake and bipod adapter for mine and it definitely makes the rifle fun to shoot.

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Excellent prodcts, I have no interest in bipods, so no experience there. I do have a muzzle brake on one, their clamp on scope mount on another, and the third has their double diopter sight set up, fantastic target sights. It uses a clamp on scope mount and the rear receiver sight is adjustable for a bit of eye relief if desired. All of their products are of highest quality.

I'm getting lots of enjoyment out of my K31.

great rifles!

Get one while you can, you won't be disappointed! Recoil isn't bad, it's on par with my bud's 91/30 mosin, except the k31 butt spreads out the force a little better.


To be honest, the best feeling I get at the range is out shooting some dork with a model 700 and a big scope with my old "beat up" milsurp. 1/2" 5 shot groups at 50 yds. off one sandbag is nothing special for me and my rifle (and may not be special in anyone's book, it's possible the shooters down here just REALLY suck!).

I've never had trouble finding Prvi to feed it, and Wolf gold is the same ammo in a different box. Once I get used to reloading for my .38, I imagine I'll start rolling my own for this one, too.

The K-31 is among the best reasons to take up reloading. It uses standard .308 bullets (not cartridges) and you can reload it for the same price as reloading .308.

It is indeed a wonderful rifle. I took my first hog with mine.

i just bought one last Saturday at a somewhat local gun show. it was made in 1935 and seemed to have a good bore and was over all in very good to excellent shape, minus the ultra worn stock.

unfortunately due to CA gun laws i have to wait 10 days to pick it up, but the worst part is that because it was a semi-local show, i cant pick it up for another week (as of tomorrow).

i paid $295 out the door. $250 for the rifle, $25 for a state fee and $20 for the precessing fee. i didnt really think about it at the time, but i wanted one so badly i dont care that i paid $95 more than its worth in other locations. i hope it shoots well. again i would give you my opinion if i had shot it.

from what i saw at the show it was extremely well made and the fit and finish on it was excellent. $200 really isnt that much money and i have noticed the price of them rise quit a bit in the last 2 years or so, so i would jump on it if i had a C&R/FFL. i feel luck i even found on considering that only about 582,000 were made.

Nice you will be pleased.