My new Swiss Miss

[jefnvk]

OK, Dunhams finally got me. At least they only got me for $105.99.

What I have in my posession is a beautiful Swiss K31 rifle. It was manufactured in 1953, and has a 1952 birch stock on it. All numbers match. Unfortunately (And to my dismay, I'd have liked a Swiss pen-pal) there was no tag under the buttplate

Metal is pristine, almost perfect. No Century billboard on the reciever, but there is still a new SN stamped on it . Only rifle of the six I dug through that wasn't stamped with Century on the reviever. Buling is almost all there, just a little bit of wear on the back left corner of the reciever. Bore is perfect, the only milgun that I have that has a nicer bore is my Swede Mauser.

Stock is normal for the gun, rough and water damaged. Still can't figure out why the Swiss made such rifles and neglected the stocks. Stock number matches the metal.

Anyway, a picture is worth at least as many words as I have already written, so enjoy:

Just waiting on Midway to send my 70 rounds of ammo now. Couldn't bring myself to buy a $10 box of 10 when Midway had it $22 for 60. Can you believe they were the only ones that had it in stock, and would sell it to a 19 year old? Still hate AIM and ammoman. (I take tha back, Ammunition Store had it as well. Have to hit them up at the next gunshow to save on shipping)

 

[PaulDaisy]

Nice! I got one just like this, with a note under the buttplate Fired it and found it accurate - some 3.5" at a 100 yard line, iron sights (bear with me, my vision is not perfect) and swiss military/match loads. I love the gun, in fact I am thinking to take it deer hunting once I tune some Hornady SST loads for it. Have to buy some brass too - swiss brass is berdan primed :-( Love the straight pull action. Mag rattles a bit when empty, but not when loaded.
Have fun!
-P

 

[Dave R]

MMMMmmmmm. You got a nice one. Well done!

If you hate AIM and ammoman, you could alway buy a Lee Anniversary kit, 7.5 Swiss dies and some .284Win brass and roll your own.

 

[jefnvk]

Got the reloader, just need the dies. But Midway and Ammunition Store still sells rifle ammo to 18 year olds, as does Sportsmans Guide if they had any 60 rd battle packs left.

I am thinking seriously about handloading for it, though, especially when the supply starts to dry up.

 

[dasmi]

That is beautiful.

 

[jefnvk]

Beautiful doesn't begin to describe it. If it shoots as well as everyone has me hyped up to believe my favorite two may become my favorite three.

I am a firm believer that everyone should own at least one of Dunhams/Big-5's sub-$100 specials. The Yugo mauser was another great deal that I wish I hadn't sold now. That gun would actually outshoot any other gun I had.

 

[cracked butt]

Nice rifle.


How's the trigger on it?

Can you believe they were the only ones that had it in stock, and would sell it to a 19 year old? Still hate AIM and ammoman.

Ah, you'll kiss and make up with them once you turn 21 and get your C&R license, Plus Midway also gets even more attractive once you become listed with them as a dealer.

Stock is normal for the gun, rough and water damaged. Still can't figure out why the Swiss made such rifles and neglected the stocks.

I've read some of the letters and seen some pictures from the previous owners posted on the Swiss Boards that showed that the rifle was often carried as part of their backpack with the buttstock sticking out the bottom. Also heard of the soldiers drilling with their rifles while wearing mountaineering boots and part of ther drill was tapping the butt of their rifles on the ground right next to their cleated boots.


The last K-31 I bought was the same year as yours, and was in pretty much the same condition. Put a few coats of 50/50 mix of linseed oil and zinsser orange shellac on the stock, followed by a coat of Howards Feed and Wax, and it looks like a million bucks.

 

[jefnvk]

Yeah, I'll buddy up again when I get the C&R. And some cash (I know why they won't give a C&R to an 19 year old, we can't be trusted to not spend out money ). Until then though

I've read some of the letters and seen some pictures from the previous owners posted on the Swiss Boards that showed that the rifle was often carried as part of their backpack with the buttstock sticking out the bottom. Also heard of the soldiers drilling with their rifles while wearing mountaineering boots and part of ther drill was tapping the butt of their rifles on the ground right next to their cleated boots.

Exact same thing I've found. Another one I seen, was the rifles stuck in a tripod like the US rifles. They were sitting in a snowbank, though. The Alps and the snow in the area probably explain the water damage, as I'd imagine they'd see much more moisture than an US rifle.

Actually, here is one of the packs: http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/...gid=&mscssid=SBVJQ6RV3UCX8H7HTVQ3AE09B5WS3RL1

 

[cracked butt]

Neat pack, thanks for the link, now I'll have to buy one

 

[jefnvk]

Don't forget the helmet:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/...gid=&mscssid=SBVJQ6RV3UCX8H7HTVQ3AE09B5WS3RL1

Or boots:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/...gid=&mscssid=SBVJQ6RV3UCX8H7HTVQ3AE09B5WS3RL1

Or canteen:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=194097

Or matching breadbag:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=71235

Heck, we could equip you as a Swiss soldier in no time

In good news, my ammo has shipped. Only a few days till I find out about the legendary accuracy of this gun. Hopefully it will get here by the end of the week, so I can take it and the AR (gotta grab ammo at CMP for that Friday) both out for the first time together.

 

[EVIL5LITER]

How common is it to find the tag under the buttplate?

Mine has one, I'm just curious.

 

[jefnvk]

A good question. i was under the impression that they were more common than not. Reading over the Swiss forums the past few days, however, there are many more instances in which there wasn't a nametag. Guess it depends on whether or not the guy remembered to take it out after he was done.

I did forget to mention the best part. This particular Dunhams (Bay City, MI) is in a mall w/o an external door. Not only did I get to walk it to the front of the store on my own, I got to walk it through the mall on my own

Heck, the guy was even trying to get me to buy ammo at the same time, but they just wanted too much

 

[cracked butt]

I did forget to mention the best part. This particular Dunhams (Bay City, MI) is in a mall w/o an external door. Not only did I get to walk it to the front of the store on my own, I got to walk it through the mall on my own

There's a similar setup on this side of the pond in Fond du lac. I always wanted to buya rifle at that Dunhams so I could carry all the way through the Kohl's store to the nearest exit just so a bunch of soccer moms would crap their pants

 

[jefnvk]

Yes! Midway came through, got my ammo here in two days!

Saturday, the new girl will get to be played with

 

[monsternav]

was the rifles stuck in a tripod

That is called "Stack Arms". The little doohickey that sticks out in front of the bayonet stud is used to stack rifles in the tripod you saw in the pictures. I guess it would be called a stacking stud?

Garands (and 03's I believe) have a stacking swivel. Looks like another sling swivel with some material cut out.

You have to buy two more now so you can try it out.

 

[jefnvk]

I don't need your encouragement, monster.

Looked at the ammo, and noticed there is a wax or rubber ring around bullet where it meets the brass. Does this have to be removed before shooting?

 

[rust collector]

Wax seal doesn't seem to cause any problems. It's not necessary to remove it.