Curious About Aim Surplus's current Swedish K31's

[Aragorn243]

My requirements are different from others here so that's why I would have no interest in that rifle. I'm not a shooter, nor a standard collector but someone that puts on displays and programs and wants functional firearms that look like they did during the wars. I'd rather have a beat up rifle than one that has such an obvious import mark. I'd rather not have a dozen people ask me what that marking is for. It is still a great buy at $300 as the quality of these rifles is outstanding.

I had to look pretty hard to find the import mark on mine. It's on the end of the barrel, is lightly stamped and one line about an inch and a half long.

I believe the import marks are allowed on the barrel or receiver. At least one importer marked their Nagant revolvers on the side plate which can be swapped out so is probably not a correct location.

[vintage hunter]

I think you're right WP, seems I remember hearing the same thing regarding the import mark regs.
What really sucks is when the importer plasters it right over the factory markings. Have seen MN 91/30's and LE no.4's marked that way recently. I turned down a nicer than average Maltby for that very reason.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Why do I think the ATF changed the regulations on import marks? Didn't they change the requirement on font size and location to twist our ninnies? My M1895 revolver is marked up to the point of obnoxious just like this rifle.

I would not be at all surprised.

[Aragorn243]

Firearms Verification Overview
Marking Requirements

1. SERIAL NUMBER
Must be conspicuously engraved, cast or stamped (impressed) on the firearm frame or receiver
•
The serial number cannot duplicate the serial number appearing on any other firearm the
importer previously imported
•
For firearms imported after January 30, 2002, the engraving, casting or stamping (impressing) of the serial number must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch and in a print
size no smaller than 1/16 inch
•
2. NAME of MANUFACTURER
Must be conspicuously engraved, cast or stamped (impressed) on the firearm frame, receiver, barrel or slide
•
For firearms imported after January 30, 2002, the engraving, casting or stamping (impressing) of the serial number must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch
•
3. COUNTRY of ORIGIN
Must be conspicuously engraved, cast or stamped (impressed) on the firearm frame, receiver, barrel or slide
•
For firearms imported afterJanuary 30, 2002, the engraving, casting or stamping (impressing) of the country of origin must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch
•
4. MODEL DESIGNATION (If assigned)
Must be conspicuously engraved, cast or stamped (impressed) on the firearm frame, receiver, barrel or slide
•
For firearms imported after January 30, 2002, the engraving, casting or stamping (impressing) of the model designation must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch
•
5. CALIBER OR GAUGE
Must be conspicuously engraved, cast or stamped (impressed) on the firearm frame, receiver, barrel or slide
•
For firearms imported after January 30, 2002, the engraving, casting or stamping (impressing) of the caliber or gauge must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch
•
6. NAME of IMPORTER
Must be conspicuously engraved, cast or stamped (impressed) on the firearm frame, receiver, barrel or slide

**********************************

A K31 has a unique serial number so does not need one assigned by the importer.

A Nagant revolver needs a serial number on the frame, not the side plate.

The problem with a lot of military firearms is they do not have unique serial numbers. They start over with each new year or letter designation. Others coming from the former Soviet Union use non-standard (to us, not them) lettering which we cannot duplicate.

What I've run into with a lot of these is no one really knows what to classify it as. And some of the import marks are incorrect because of that.

Makes you wonder if anyone from the Feds ever checks these things.

[mac1911]

The newer import marks are horrible....but really what can you do? For a 300$ rifle recently imported? Yes you can scrounge shops and online or grab a great gun that shoots better than most.
I recently grabbed one from SOG. I figured I better get one before the price goes up again. Feels like yesterday you could pick up almost any Swiss rifle for 179.00?
Mine has the horrible new import marks. I'm a shooting collector type. In the 25 yrs I been able to buy guns I have never seen a Swiss rifle in any local gun shop I have been to.

[Aragorn243]

I've seen quite a few in our local shops as recently as about 4 months ago. Now they are all dried up. Last one was sitting there at $530 with a broken tip of the stock where someone tried forceing something that can't be forces. I don't know if he got that price, I doubt it but you never know. Nothing special about the rifle, late production, beech stock and busted tip. A second shop had two for the longest time at around $300.