Mounting a shooting sling onto a K31

[WayneConrad]

I would like to mount a shooting sling onto a K-31. To be mounted properly, I think that the sling mount needs to be on the underside of the forearm. The existing mount on the side of the forearm would, I think, introduce an undesirable torque to the rifle when I'm slung up.

1. Has anyone here used a shooting sling--GI, Turners, Ching, etc.--with a K-31? How did you mount it?

2. What will adding a sling mount to the underside of the forestock involve? Just drilling into the wood? Or into the metal band? I'm handy with a drill--Is this a DIY project?

3. How much will it hurt the value of the rifle? The rifle I want to do this to is not my best quality K-31, but I do like them all and will skip doing this if it would make a collector cry buckets.

 

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

If the Swiss felt that putting a sling on the bottom of the stock of the K31 improved it, they would have done so.

 

[WayneConrad]

Dr. Venkman, Is it possible that the Swiss did not use a US GI style shooting sling with the K-31, but only used the sling as a carrying strap, or only used a "hasty" style sling? I'm trying to do something a little different than the rifle was designed for, I suspect.

Beats me.

 

[Essex County]

Even though a lot of my rifles could be served by a carry strap, most everything I own has a Turner 1907 on it. Dollars well spent. Essex

 

[WayneConrad]

Essex County, Do all of your rifles have their forearm mount on the underside of the forestock? Or do any of them have the forearm mount on the side of the forestock, as my K-31 does? If so, does that cause the rifle to roll when you apply tension to the sling?

 

[Slamfire]

I could have sworn that I have seen pictures of K31's being used at a shooting club and the target shooters had special upper band swivels.

As is, the K31 is not condusive to using the sling as a shooting support. The sling attachments are for carrying, not shooting. When I have shot my prone, in fun old military rifle matches, I shot without a sling. Was not as steady as using a sling, but what can you do?

 

[Jeff F]

I use a leather military rifle sling. the ones with two sets of brass hooks. When properly adjusted your off hand arm goes threw the upper loop and the lower part of the sling has no pressure on it and quite a bit of slack. Military slings used properly will give a very steady hold.