Swiss K31 shopping

[Roofuss]

Looking for a nice Swiss K31 to add to my modest WW II collection. Since I am very new to these guns, is there ANYTHING , I need to be on the lookout for ?
By this I mean, good years / bad years/ certain "issues " with certain vintages, etc. ?
Thanks.

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[Aragorn243]

It's a shame you didn't find the post a few days earlier about AIM.

There really isn't much to look for. Quality is outstanding no matter what year. Nearly all will have matching numbers with the possible exception of the magazine. So I guess if you find one that doesn't have matching numbers on the bolt, I'd look for another.

Walnut stocks are 1943 and prior and are "preferred" due to the wood holding up better than the beech and most prefer the look of Walnut. You can expect to pay a little more for walnut. The butt stocks on most beech stocks are beat up pretty bad. No one is really sure why but rumor has it they set them down outside the door of the building they were entering and when they came out they were frozen to the ground so they kicked them loose. I would think simply moving the barrel away from the house would break they loose better but who knows.

Each rifle was "owned" by the individual soldier. Most have name plates under the butt plate. If the individual took better care of his rifle than others, it will be in better shape. When they left the service they were given the opportunity to keep their rifle through a purchase of a small amount. If this is the case there will be a "P" stamped on the receiver. Not many of these on K31's but are more common on the earlier rifles coming into the country. There is a site which will tell you what year it was made based on the serial number. The stocks will be stamped on the interior about a year to 16 months earlier although I seem to recall someone having one 2 years earlier.

Don't force them apart to disassemble. Find instructions or you'll butcher the fore end and replacement parts are hard to come by.

[Roofuss]

Thank you...a good start and much appreciated . I am currently looking at a 1941 K31 with "hammerli barrel " as well as a 1949 K31 in good overall shape . Any clue as to the hammerli barreled gun? Rare, aftermarket of good quality, etc ? Thanks

[Aragorn243]

Barrels were made by Hammerli and SIG as well as receivers. They were assembled at Eidgenossische Waffenfabrik in Bern and will often have a Hammerli barrel on a SIG receiver and vise versa. Quality is going to be the same. These rifles are all "match" quality as well as the ammunition. I've heard there is some restrictions on their use in competitions but have no personal experience with that. Unless it's been abused or neglected, you shouldn't have any problems with one of these despite how bad the stock looks.

Did I mention how FUN these are to shoot? Just beware if you're shooting at a range with a roof. Those empties fly pretty high.

[Latigo]

Barrels were made by Hammerli and SIG as well as receivers. They were assembled at Eidgenossische Waffenfabrik in Bern and will often have a Hammerli barrel on a SIG receiver and vise versa.

Please note that Eidgenossische Waffenfabrik is SIG, now known and registered as RUAG.
Another note.... k31's stamped with a P and cycled into the hands of private citizens are far more likely to have been shot a lot in competitions. Those with the sought after "competition labels" are in the same boat. Fired a lot more than those not taken into the private sector. If it has a bunch of labels or a P, have the seller gage the bore before you buy it. Simpsons will gladly do that for you.

---------- Post added at 07:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:58 AM ----------

And actually there is a potential issue with 1944 mfg'd k31s. This is from Guisan on the SRDC


K31 accident...SAFETY CHECKS... in Straight-Pull Rifles Forum

[wd113]

I just ordered a K31 from a place in Calgary.... $250 .. I couldn't resist.... now to find ammo....

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

My friend from the north did a fine job with the pointers. The only issue which I have read about that he did not mention is the fact that you need to close the action firmly to ensure the bolt is completely in battery and a rare issue with the op rod discussed here http://theswissriflesdotcommessagebo...tSAFETY-CHECKS this is on a great Swiss rifle specific website you will find interesting if you like Swiss Watches, I mean rifles.
Can't go wrong with a K-31.

[WarPig1976]

This thread should be a sticky!!

[kar98k]

really can't go wrong with a K31. the Swiss made it perfectly. every one of them.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

really can't go wrong with a K31. the Swiss made it perfectly. every one of them.

Ill bet Aragorn cleaned AIM out before I could get an order in.
The troop tags are a very interesting plus.
I broke down and ordered a pair of the Alpinflage bibs as rangeware . Are the Swiss short? XL fit prefectly but the suspenders are about 2" short.