Is it possible that the Swiss K-11/K31 series are the best rifles ever made?

[Davo]

LAK once again is right, Ive NEVER had a problem even with the wolf GOLD line, which is probably the poorest grade of ammo these guns will ever have to touch. All I need is an Excellent grade in walnut, and perhaps a 1911 and I will be set. Ive got 2 in birch ( '46 and 53'), one is scoped the other is open sights.
The swiss were long on money, and short on manpower. They realized 120+ years ago that IF they were going to give any of its neighbors a black eye they needed a rifle that would reach out and deal a hurting. Its no coincidence that the US sniping round is almost identical to the gp11 round-its made to shoot long and true. From mountain sides onto potential German invaders this would have been quite discouraging.
If I can figure out how to post pics on THR I will post a write up and review of the k31 and its gp11 round.

 

[wrc]

Ode to the K31

I have acquired multiple K31s. I have the beater that I run as many rounds as I can through, the "nice" ones that I don't shoot much but might swap the sights out of, and the "perfect" one that has all the right butt-plate and hang tags.

I think the K31 is the nicest millsurp, both for fit-and-finish, and for the trigger.

It is a pain to get ammunition for. Reload.

 

[velojym]

I've been seeing the Wolf ammo a lot more often at Cabelas, as well as a couple other brands (which are considerably more expensive).
I used to stop in the Buda store and clean 'em out, if they had any left, and it'd be only a couple boxes or so.
The last few times I went in (as well as the store near Jackson WI last week) the shelf was fully stocked. I wanted to grab it all, but fundage was a little short at the time.

 

[TimboKhan]

LAK,

Hey, I am just pointing out a fact about the rifle! To answer your question directly though, no, I have not had a problem, nor have I heard of one. I love my K31, and like I said, it's my favorite to shoot. I think it is a fine, fine rifle. But, it just doesn't have the camming power of other rifles, plain and simple.

In practice, I don't think that means a whole lot, if anything. I have never once thought to myself "boy, this rifle rocks, but if only it had more camming power!" Answering the question of "best ever"? Well, thats an academic question, and academically speaking, the lack of camming power does in fact work against it. That's the perspective I was working from.

Realistically? Like I said, I would rather shoot this rifle than any of my other milsurps, and for that matter most all of my other rifles to include my fancy-pants Bushmaster Predator. I am nothing special as a marksman, but I was making regular off-hand hits on a man-sized steel target at a measured 225 yards, and I have fellow THR members that can back me up on that. I know thats no great shakes, and I am not trying to claim to be Carlos Hathcock, but I was very impressed that I could repeatedly hit a target at that distance from the offhand, with a 70 year old rifle with iron sights, at speed. No doubt about it, I am a big fan of the K31!

Also, it's not the best ever because I occasionally get donked in the head by empty brass, but thats more of a personal issue...

 

[LAK]

Not to suggest it as fact, and it is unlikely that the k-31 can apply an equal or greater force to the extractor. But I do wonder all the same; it actually depends on the angles and curves of the camming surfaces. All else aside, in theory equal force can be applied to the bolt handles of either. Perhaps even more to the big toggle of the K-31 as it is drawn directly back with the maximum use of the muscles of arms and shoulders, as opposed to lifting motion with the turnbolt.

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[rugbyer81]

I actually just took my K31 out to shoot for the first time last week. I had never fired one before and, for what it's worth, I had a whole lot of fun with it and it's unique action. I can't exactly say it is the greatest bolt action rifle ever, because other then that I have only fired mosins, but it certainly was an enjoyable experience and I plan to take it out again as soon as I can get more ammunition.

 

[Manedwolf]

FYI, Wolf Gold isn't made by Wolf, it's rebranded Prvi Partisan. Check the headstamp, it's made in Serbia...and it doesn't use the Wolf Noxious Oh-God-Burning-Used-Kittylitter-Smell (TM) patent powder blend.

The Norma stuff is really nice out of the K-31, but it's, well...pricey is a slight understatement.

 

[rangerruck]

I was having this very debate at the gunshow here in Pasadena , tx. today. is the k31 milsurp the best ever military boltie? I was arguing yes, another guy was arguing no, the guy selling the guns wasn't sure. Plus I said the Garand wasn't a boltie, and the only thing that could come close was a very good 03a3.