Finnish Mosin or K31

[cmdio]

Basically I wanted to pick up a rifle this weekend, I had been working all kinds of extra hours and wanted to buy myself something nice. Basically I can get either of these two rifles for $185. I know that this is a very good price on the Finnish M39, and with the supply of K31's dwindling it may be time to pounce on that too. I have a Russian 91/30 which I love and it shoots well, but I'm torn on which one of these rifles to pick up. Hopefully you guys can help me make up my mind. Thanks

EDIT: Bought the K31 and even managed to find some ammo, hope to shoot it soon

 

[Acheron]

Get the Finn. Both the M39 and K31 are great rifles but as far as I can tell the Finns are getting nigh impossible to find. Wait a while and save up, then get the K31-they'll still be around.


Plus you'll have common ammo between the two Nagants.

 

[Squidward]

I've not owned/shot an M39 But, I own 4 K31s. IMO they are a beautiful weapon in spite of the damage found on the butt of most stocks. They shoot exceptionally well and are a breeze to maintain. Some have plastic tags under the buttplate that has info on the soldier to whom the rifle was issued. Some owners have actually had interaction with the soldier or his family, which is historically of interest also.

7.5x55 ammo is fairly plentiful and parts are available at several locations. Did I mention that they shoot exceptionally well??

I'd say its worth a serious look. Also check out swissrifles.com and TNgunparts.com

 

[jd46561]

Id get the K31 first, Finn second. But I would get both.

 

[Cosmoline]

M39 Finns are still available and the supply is pretty good. Check gunbroker and the wholesale sites. The Swiss rifles are going up in price and if you can get a K31 for under two bills, go for it.

 

[qajaq59]

Flip a coin. Either way you wont lose. They're both good.

 

[col_tapiocca]

Get the M39 first! $185 for a M39 is a good deal.

 

[Bartkowski]

If you don't get the M39, tell me where to get it for $185.

If I were in your shoes and had the funds, I would buy both.

 

[alemonkey]

Go with the M39...I shot mine today for the first time and it's very accurate. $185 is a steal unless the barrel is shot out.

 

[Hoppy590]

finn.

ammos still somewhat cheap, rifles are drying up faster

 

[Funderb]

Agreed, if the bore is shot out go for the k31,
if not, M39!!!!

 

[AmishFury]

both

 

[cmdio]

well I bought the K31 yesterday, It seemed to be in pretty good condition, I would not characterize the stock as "beaver chewed" the bore was great too. I was on my way out of town and I didn't want to have it ride in my trunk for a few days, so I left it at the store and am going to pick it up tomorrow. I'm excited to try it out, but it will be a few weeks until I can make it to the range and then I'm going to have to deal with the deer hunter sight-in crowds, but I guess its worth it. I'm probably going to pick up the Finn within a few months provided it sticks around, Its at a gun store a few hours from me and they said they've had it for years, so I doubt it's going anywhere. I should probably find out what their layaway policy is and put as little as I have to down on it. On another note has anyone tried the clamp on scope mounts for the K31? Just wondering if they were worth it.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

K31 would be my choice, but its not. It is your choice.

 

[nathan]

m39 is the easier to find good ammo supply. Aims sells 54 R soft point hunting ammo if you want to kill deer.

 

[chasw44]

cmdio: Congrats on your K31. You won't regret it. The reason the butt stocks on most K31s are chewed up, I believe, is from carrying them in the M1944 rucksack, which neatly positions the rifle straight up and down the spine, cradled inside the ruck, with the butt sticking out the bottom, where it can get royally banged up. This kind of carry enables troopers to scramble up steep rock sections with both hands free.

As for the clamp on mount by SP Products, its a jewel. It is so precise the clamp works like a QD mount with exact return to zero. The problem is, it sets the scope off to the right by about 3/4", great for a leftie like me, but normal people should get the drill and tap mount from the same outfit, is a better choice, since it positions the scope 3/4" to the left of bore center.

One more outstanding feature of the K31 rifle most people overlook is its suitability for bayonet fighting. That forward grip is just right, what can I say. All pre-WWII infantry rifles (not carbines) were designed for bayonet fighting as a back up. Modern design rifles compromise this feature, but still mount little bayonets. When the chips are down, its better than nothing. None of the infantry rifles I have ever handled come as close to ergonomic perfection for the bayonet fighter as the K31. I wish I had one of the 11" bayonets that fit the K31, until then, my rifle is incomplete. Someday. - CW