Samco K31 now in the inventory.

[Coronach]

Awwwwriiiiight.

I ordered one of Samco's "special select" K31s. Apparently, this grade of rifle exists between excellent and very good. I was not really sure what I was going to get, but for $119, I figured it was worth a gamble. I was disappointed that they were out of excellents, but that's OK.

Well, the rifle does seem to be in overall excellent condition, with the exception of the stock and some of the minor metal pieces. The wood is beech, and has the usual gouges and marks of Swiss use. The barrel bands look like they were painted at one point (arsenaled?) and that paint has flaked off. The metal underneath is blackened, either by design or from old rust. That's the bad news- and it's not really that bad.

The good news? The receiver is nicely blued, with the blueing wearing thin in a few places. No rust, no pitting. The bore is bright and shiny, and the rifling looks practically new. The muzzle is perfect. Not sure about any throat erosion or how it headspaces, but the action is clean, oiled and butter smooth. serial numbers, of course, match. The trigger is quite good. Everything seems to be good to go.

The best part was the fortune cookie in the stock. My rifle once belonged to one Hans Mohler, issued in 1932. There's an address, too, but it is safely ensconced back in the stock (for the moment). That has to be the coolest tidbit from a milsurp, ever.

So, that's what you get for $119.00 from Samco. Oh! lookie! They found some more excellents, and the prices just went up.

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

Pics to follow.

Mike

 

[cracked butt]

I was not really sure what I was going to get,

If you really like suspense, order an M41B from them. Nothing like plunking down $1300 and wondering if you will get a beauty, an ugly mismatched rifle, a bad scope, or a rifle that might have been rumored to have been put together by the 'Samco armory.' Samco has never done me wrong though.
Congrats on your new rifle, I'm 100% certain that you'll love it.

 

[Coronach]

What was the most odd was the "special select" bit. What the heck is that, anyway? It was priced between the VG and E, but it was not clear whether or not it was just an excuse to sell a VG and something approaching E prices or if there was some substantive difference. I HOPED it meant that the rifle was a E with some minor defect, but even after speaking with the not-very-helpful customer support chica I still had no idea.

I'm happy with it. The metal isn't perfect, but the major parts (receiver, barrel, bolt, etc) are all in really good shape, and the wear seems like character marks it picked up in Mr. Mohler's service.

I hope it shoots tight.

Mike

 

[cracked butt]

I'm not sure what Special Select stands for either. Milsurp grading systems are pretty arbitrary- I've bought a VG Persian from samco that was in better condition than anything I've bought from Century, I've bought VG graded rifles from Century that had very badly pitted bores. I'm guessing that Samco's 'excellent' would be as close to a new rifle as possible with Special grade having a scratch or a ding or two.

but even after speaking with the not-very-helpful customer support chica I still had no idea.

She's not very helpful and pretty difficult to understand, but then again Samco has a pretty liberal return policy.

 

[JonB]

Quote:
but even after speaking with the not-very-helpful customer support chica I still had no idea.

She's not very helpful and pretty difficult to understand, but then again Samco has a pretty liberal return policy.

Glad it's not only me then. Called them this morning and she was literally having another conversation with someone else in the room while I was trying to ask questions. Had to repeat myself 3 times.

 

[Coronach]

Yeah, I was not impressed with the phone service. But, the rifle is nice.

 

[jagdpanzer347]

All we need now is some more reasonably priced GP11 to hit our shores. I knew I should have bought a couple cases months ago. At least the Prvi Partisan seems like a viable option. 9.95 a box at AIM and reloadable brass. I've bought some but haven't shot any yet.

-jagd

 

[Coronach]

From what I've heard, Prvi is decent, but not as accurate as GP11. I bought one pack of GP11, just to see how accurate the gun can be and to give me something against which to compare handloads, and then I'll get a boatload of Prvi (or unprimed brass).

Wideners as GP11 right now. Ammoman claims he's about to get some in.

Mike

 

[jagdpanzer347]

Mike, yeah, Wideners had cases of GP11 on sale for 160.00 last week. Didn't have the spare money for it though. It just went up another four bucks a pack. I was at AIM the other day and they didn't know if they were getting any more in. At some point I'll have to begin reloading 7.5.

-jagd

 

[longhorngunman]

I've found the PP 174gr SP ammo at Aim to be just as accurate as the GP11. Has a similar ogive profile as the GP11 too. Best of all it's easily reloadable and is good brass. I've been stocking it up.

 

[AH-1]

sounds like you got a good one.congrads.
fwiw

there will come a day when 7.5X55 "will" dry up.stash some brass for when it does.I have a ammo can full of boxer brass.
pete

 

[lionking]

congrats to you.It really is dangerous for me to look at their website since they are in my city and I can drive there to handpick something lol!

 

[Mac Attack]

Excuse me for asking but how does one order one of those K31's? I have heard so many things about them and for the price I think I can afford atleast one but am not sure how to place an order. Do I need to have a C&R license or an FFL license?

 

[monsternav]

Yes, you need an FFL of some type, or find a local one to do the transfer for you. There are lists of C&R rifle dealers that have been posted here. In case you are interested in what is out there.

 

[jagdpanzer347]

Mac, to order a C&R eligible weapon direct from a vendor, you do indeed need a C&R license. Your other option is to find a local FFL dealer who will handle it as a transfer for you. The average price in my area to handle a transfer is twenty-five bucks. Plus you'll have to pay shipping as well.

 

[longhorngunman]

Call a local gun dealer and find one that will do the transfer for you for a reasonable price. Have him send a copy or fax a copy to Aim, or whoever your buying from. You can order directly from Aim but they will ship the gun to your dealer who will do the transfer for you.

 

[sctman800]

I called Samco to order a K-31 the week before Christmas and apparently got the same woman, not a good experience. I checked my records and I had sent Samco a copy of my C&R when I got it in Nov. 2005. She wanted to know the expiration date, then said they had no record of it, but she had my address then said "you will have to send in another with your order."
I got off the phone and called AIM Surplus and no problem, we have your C&R on file and it will ship tomorrow. AIM was the same price and listed as the same grade.
No note under the butt plate but aside from that and a bit dinged up on the stock, a beautiful gun. Jim.