How is This Not Huge News? New K31 Clips!

[barnbwt]

Poly K31 Charger Clips!

I suppose it's a drive by, but it's also pretty self-explanatory; some dude at SHOT is pitching plastic reproduction clips (for 10-15$, but that's just to start out) for our beloved Swiss rifles. Every thread about the Best Clips Ever Designed Ever has lamented the ever-increasing rarity of the doo-hickeys, and pointlessly asked --no, pleaded-- "why, oh, why, won't someone make new production clips for us!"

It would appear our desires may soon be fulfilled (and I won't have to lay up more lumpy fiberglass clips for myself )

TCB

 

[fireman 9731]

Fantastic!

And they look good too!

 

[dvdcrr]

Ill have to pick up a couple of these for my k31

 

[nathan]

K 31s are the catsmeow in surplus rifle accuracy. The good thing theres plenty of surplus ammo as of today.

 

[g.willikers]

Hooray.
Now if someone would make the magazines.

 

[Trent]

SWEET!

And +1 on the magazines.

I'd pay $25 a pop for those if anyone wants to fabricate me some. AND I'd even do a video thanking them as I use the rifle in a High Power shoot.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

There is a link on the link for new factory magazines at $45 or so each or three for $39 each. I may order three to have an extra for each of my K31's. You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you get what you need.......

 

[HammsBeer]

I have nine of the original charger clips when they were $6 each, now if you can even find them they are $15-20 each. I have used them several times, but the little tin fingers that hold the rounds in don't seem like they will withstand repeated use.

I see this polymer version is the same exact design, so I wonder how well the little fingers would hold up? I always thought thin kydex would work too.

As far as magazines, I've read that the mags were fitted to each rifle, so that's why they are serial numbered. Something about how they were fitted for slight variances in the depth of the wood that forms the mag well, since they clip onto the lower steel plate instead of the receiver. I could be wrong though.

 

[barnbwt]

I assume the new clips are fiber reinforced plastic, rather than simple injection molded nylon. Composite would be infinitely better as far as fatigue than metallic leaf springs of any type (as I recall, tin is sort of self-healing when it comes to micro cracks, so the little fingers actually do hold up surprisingly well. Nothing lasts forever though, and the original clips are no longer made)

If they can do even marginally better than my Bondo/felt garage composite layup (shock ), these clips should be very solid, and last until the end of time (or all the 7.5x55 is gone and forgotten).

"I've read that the mags were fitted to each rifle"
I think the stock band screws were fitted and serialed for each rifle, as well . That's just what the Swiss did, it seems. These guns are such precision instruments, though, that practically everything is fully interchangeable; magazines included. At least the mags are designed to sit somewhat loosely in the receivers, as opposed to something like the SVT40 where they have to be closely fitted or they'll fall out.

"I always thought thin kydex would work too."
There is actually less room than you'd think, and the plastic ends up being pretty thin in order to fit rounds and squeeze into the receiver opening. I think some sort of fiber is mandatory if you are to reliably hold the rounds when the clip is removed. The other wrinkle is the big thumb cutout, which badly weakens the overall item. Most simple polymers are just too flexible (something hard like Lexan might work, but even it would be flimsy)

TCB

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

The good thing about capitalism if there is a need and a big enough market to support it someone will supply it, if they can make money doing it. Look at all the vintage automobile reproduction parts: a person could build a complete new Model A Ford or first generation Camaro out of repro parts. Same dynamic applies to guns and their parts & accessories if there is a profitable market there, someone will supply it.