MilsurpShooter
Member
Well, I was staying away for as long as I could but a buddy of mine pretty much twisted my arm and brought me to the gunshow. I've been trying to curb my spending lately (house taxes were just paid and I'm trying to rebuild the savings) so I wasn't going to go.
Anyhow, took the drive up, walked around a bit, kept my hands in my pockets, didn't look too closely at the gun tables, more of the knives and accessories... Well one did catch my eye. A Swiss K-31 in Walnut with a few dents but not nearly the beaver chewed stock that I have seen of these rifles. I picked it up, cycled it, inspected it... and put it down. I'd been waiting for my C&R so I could get one of these, well they charged me on March 7th, and on April 27th my application was submitted for review (as per the lady on the phone) I wanted one of these before they got any harder to find. Anyway my buddy was just about done, he was happy with his new Remchester whatever he bought, they all look the same to me, and he asked if I was going to buy the K-31. Didn't think I was that obvious. Anyway, after a little haggling, talking to the dealer about how scarce the ammo was and the like, he came down another $30. All matching, minor blue wear, walnut stock for $110. Brick of ammo with it came added $32 to it though lol.
Anyway, got it home, tested it out a little. Brought it down to the workshop to take a look. Pulled the bolt back to get ready for dis-assembly... That was a little tough. Go to push the bolt forward, that's a little tougher then before too. I read something about how they won't close on an empty mag so I pushed down on the mag and slid the bolt forward. Again a little hard. Tried to test a few times and each time the bolt got a little harder and harder to cycle. It's not tough to cycle to the point where I can't do it, but it does take a bit of effort.
Anyhow, took the rifle down, all the numbers match and I'm honestly impressed by the way these things are made and the way the bolt operates. Cleaned some errant cosmolene and grease from the throat and the bolt face and re-assembled. Same problem, cycles but takes a bit of effort.
My question, is this normal for the K-31? I know a bolt shouldn't just open with your pinky finger but this is a bit of effort, either that or I'm just doing it all wrong after my bolt action rifles. I'm left handed too so I could be putting pressure in places that aren't used to it and binding?
Secondly, how tight should the screws on the barrel bands be? I've heard the barrels are free floated so tightening them down to max probably is not the best idea.
Thanks for any help guys
Anyhow, took the drive up, walked around a bit, kept my hands in my pockets, didn't look too closely at the gun tables, more of the knives and accessories... Well one did catch my eye. A Swiss K-31 in Walnut with a few dents but not nearly the beaver chewed stock that I have seen of these rifles. I picked it up, cycled it, inspected it... and put it down. I'd been waiting for my C&R so I could get one of these, well they charged me on March 7th, and on April 27th my application was submitted for review (as per the lady on the phone) I wanted one of these before they got any harder to find. Anyway my buddy was just about done, he was happy with his new Remchester whatever he bought, they all look the same to me, and he asked if I was going to buy the K-31. Didn't think I was that obvious. Anyway, after a little haggling, talking to the dealer about how scarce the ammo was and the like, he came down another $30. All matching, minor blue wear, walnut stock for $110. Brick of ammo with it came added $32 to it though lol.
Anyway, got it home, tested it out a little. Brought it down to the workshop to take a look. Pulled the bolt back to get ready for dis-assembly... That was a little tough. Go to push the bolt forward, that's a little tougher then before too. I read something about how they won't close on an empty mag so I pushed down on the mag and slid the bolt forward. Again a little hard. Tried to test a few times and each time the bolt got a little harder and harder to cycle. It's not tough to cycle to the point where I can't do it, but it does take a bit of effort.
Anyhow, took the rifle down, all the numbers match and I'm honestly impressed by the way these things are made and the way the bolt operates. Cleaned some errant cosmolene and grease from the throat and the bolt face and re-assembled. Same problem, cycles but takes a bit of effort.
My question, is this normal for the K-31? I know a bolt shouldn't just open with your pinky finger but this is a bit of effort, either that or I'm just doing it all wrong after my bolt action rifles. I'm left handed too so I could be putting pressure in places that aren't used to it and binding?
Secondly, how tight should the screws on the barrel bands be? I've heard the barrels are free floated so tightening them down to max probably is not the best idea.
Thanks for any help guys
