K31 Availability and Quality

[Mark_from_Iowa]

My birthday is coming up, and I have been toying with the idea of adding a K31 to my collection. Right now I am shooting Mosins almost exclusively (M44, M91/30, M39), with a few handguns for good measure. My gut tells me it is time to branch out a bit, and the K31 seems like a good way to go while still maintaining a milsurp angle.

Anyway, I contacted the only gun shop around here that carries milsurp in any great quantity, and was told that he will not be carrying the K31 any longer. According to him, all of the good ones are gone, and what remain are in poor condition. He also said that he could order one in, but couldn't stand behind it as far as quality is concerned.

I don't particularly care about wood condition, since I'm really only interested in the bore/bolt mechanics being clean. If he was basing his opinion on cosmetic appeal, then I may still have him snag one for me before too long.

I was wondering if this is a well-founded rumor or not? Should I spend the next few months trolling gun shows and inspecting bores, or will I have a good chance of success with the various distributors?

Thanks
Mark

 

[alamo]

Looks like there are still good ones around:

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Swiss_1931_Carbin_Scmidt_Rubin_K31_7_5Swiss_Cal_.html

http://www.samcoglobal.com/rifles.html

 

[SoCalShooter]

I am waiting till the next paycheck to pickup mine from a friend its chambered in 7.5swizz the expensive ammo of course.

Go get one they are great rifles!!!.

 

[HorseSoldier]

My only local place the stocks milsurps usually does not have them either, but I see nice ones at gun shows pretty regularly, still reasonably priced. Ammo, like SoCalShooter mentioned, has been the main reason I haven't gone in for one yet. I'm spending enough money on 6.5x55, 6.8 Rem SPC, and 10mm Auto to go in for another off caliber right now.

 

[Cosmoline]

The K-31's are still pretty easy to find. If you see a 1911 or 96/11 grab it, though. These have gone from being pretty common to being horded. I'm not parting with mine ever again!

Wolf Gold now has pretty good quality 7.5 on the market, in both FMJ and SP. There's also Privi Partisan. And Graf & Sons have (or had) a few bags of the boxer brass left. So the ammo situation is MUCH better now than it was five years ago.

 

[ROMAK IV]

I was going to grab one at a gun store, but the bore was dark and a little worn, and I guess I am spoiled by absolute excellent bores in my K-11 and 96?11 Alpine Sporter. I thought I would be able to find one with a really nice bore, so I'll wait and cotinue to look. The ammunition isn't that expensive and is quite good considering the quality.

 

[Davo]

Get a pair while you still can. They are the best shooters out on the milsurp market, and quality cant be beat.

 

[cracked butt]

A 'poor' condition K-31 will almost certainly be a better shooter than an 'excellent' condition mosin-nagant.

The worst K-31s I've seen had a little surface rust on them, badly dinged stocks, and shiny bores.

 

[jd46561]

The k31 is a fine , fine ,carbine. Very accurate right out of the box, usually.

Mark , If your looking to buy?. I have 2 Walnut K31's for sale .([email protected])

 

[ReadyontheRight]

You will like the K31.

 

[RPCVYemen]

I can't believe that I actually bought something that went up in value! Usually, when I buy a stock, it tanks.

I bought a K31 a year or so ago for $129 - I think it was $10 for walnut, and $10 for handpicked. I was lucky, and got one with a tag from the soldier it was first issued to.

I stripped the stock, raised and sanded out the dings, and finished it with many coats of 100% tung oil.

It's a very nice looking rifle now. Shoots well.

Mainly, I am amazed that it didn't drop in value the day after I bought it!

Mike

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

The Swiss K31 is quality all of the way. If a modern manufacturer were to make these fine rifles today they couldn't do it under $700.00 and more likely higher. Buy them while you can there is no doubt in my mind that these K31s will do nothing but go up in value.