Decisions, decisions

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fanchisimo

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So I have pretty much decided to sell my M&P40 to be able to purchase a milsurp rifle. I love my pistol, but I figure I can get another one at a later date while the Milsurps I'm interested in are drying up. So the impasse is which milsurp.

The first option is a Swiss K31. It has always interested me for some reason and seems like a great rifle. However they seem really scarce so finding one again later on at a reasonable price seems very iffy. The GP11 ammo seems like there is a limited supply as well so once it runs out, the only options are to reload or pay more per round.

The other is using my gun fund and the M&P sales cash to get a Garand from the CMP. It would probably be a service grade model. The 30-06 seems plentiful enough if I get the adjustable gas plug so I can shoot commercial ammo.

I'm leaning towards the K31 because it's possible at some point the EO banning Garand imports from Korea might be lifted which would cause more to be available. However I think I would be more bummed if I missed out on the rifle that took us through WW2. I just keep going back and forth and would like to hear your all's opinion. Thanks.
 
Between a K31 and a Garand, you can't really go wrong either way. I'd say go with the Garand, I've never owned etiher but I have fired a Garand and it's a fun rifle to shoot, and yeah with ammo, I see Milsurp .30-06 more than 7.5mm Swiss right now.
 
If you think a K31 belongs at the bottom of your list, well --no, scratch that. Keep thinking that; there'll be more rifles and ammo for those of us with a clue ;)

To the OP, I would say the answer lies in the fact the two are very different rifles. One is a very accurate bolt action that is probably the nicest made bolt rifle ever issued (i.e. will appeal to those refined individuals capable of appreciating 'the finer things'), the other will likely be a fun, reliable shooter with less expected accuracy* and incomparable cool factor. Unless HXP got a lot cheaper, the cost of ammo is pretty darn close, a little over 50 cents per round for Swiss for the last battle pack I bought. Far, far higher quality, too. Reloading is identical for the two (right down to the powder measurements, for some loads) and new Swiss brass/dies are available (and will last longer)

So, the question is this; are you a paper puncher, or a walk-around blaster sort of shooter? Might be useful to draw up some pros/cons for each.

Here's my list;

K31 Pros;
-Mechanically interesting
-Fairly uncommon but still available
-Exceptionally well made, typically in very good condition
-Extremely accurate (see last point)
-Few quirks that hinder use (no serious ergonomic flaws, etc.)
-Historically notable from a design/non-WWII perspective
-Superb trigger, easily scopable with a removable mount
-Box mags or (excellent) strippers can be used
-A surprising breadth of aftermarket support (brass, scope mounts, stocks, lefty conversions, sights, cheek pads, etc.)
-7.5x55 does practically everything 30-06 can do, but at like 10% less pressure so brass is happier (and you'll never lose your brass)

K31 cons;
-Lightish, short rifle plus steel buttplate equals ouch
-Ammo supply will eventually dry, but I suspect about the same time as milsurp 30-06
-Sights are typical for bolt main rifles of the era; nothing special
-Stocks are usually kinda beat up
-Bayonets and accessories like strippers and bandoliers are expensive

M1 Garand Pros;
-Very common, easy to find parts and smiths for
-Easily repaired (see last item)
-Good, solid design is typically quite reliable
-Heavier, softer shooting, more comfortable stock layout
-Terrific sights
-All that blood 'n guts history (and a whole lot more hype ;))
-Very scalable, should you choose to improve/upgrade things (barrels, triggers, magazine conversions --the gun is practically modular)
-Semi-auto clip fed, dude! :cool:

M1 Garand Cons;
-Seems like everyone with more than a Mosin has one already
-You won't like paying for a nice one that the guy at the range will probably have
-Your gun will likely be pretty worn, even from the CMP. It'll work, but it likely won't be a 'nice' gun, especially for what you've paid for it.
-Don't expect great triggers, tack driving barrels, or polished parts off the bat
-Is limited in ammo selection without modification (adjustable gas nut)
-30-06 will soon be a 'con' just like Swiss, unless you grab a 308 version
-You'll lose or damage your brass, at least occasionally
-Hard to scope, and no non-permanent options
-Stuff will probably break/wear out more often, simply due to the cycling of the action being more violent than a manual operation, the higher pressure, and the more worn initial condition of things. Also, more parts.

I own two K31's and a BM59 (Garand receiver conversion to 308 box mags), and I like them about equally for a very different set of reasons. A Garand is more like my 30-06 FN49, which is also fun but I would say less practical than the BM59 (longer, heavier, harder recoiling 30-06 vs. 308). A Garand converted by Shuff to a box-fed tanker variant would be very compelling to (if only because he seems to do such a good job for his customers)

TCB

*At least not at the lower-end CMP grades you'd be going for
 
The Schmidt-Rubins are awesome rifles, but the Garand has a cool factor all it's own, and they are more fun to shoot than the bolt action surplus guns.

.30-06 is also a lot cheaper than 7.5x55 if you don't reload.
 
Get the k31. If you must have a Garand later on then buy one. There are lots of old designs coming back to the modern manufacture market and a Garand seems as likely a candidate as any other.
 
If you reload, ammo availabilty/cost is a tie. In your situation I would take the Garand. I am a sucker for American history, and the Garand basically wrote American history for a full generation of Americans.
 
Barnbwt, you nailed a lot of my issues, I'm looking at it as if I get a K31 now, there is a lot higher chance of finding a Garand later on than vice-versa. It would take time but I would eventually have both. :D Typically I'm more of a blaster, but do punch paper when I have time.
 
barnbwt, Personally I see the swiss at or near the bottom of the desirable list; there's plenty others that don't interest me that I'd rate well below it. And you're right about the trigger. Of the five I listed, the two American rifles are the ones I do not have. I should correct that, especially considering the lack of good 1903's out there.
 
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