Lee enfiled, Mauser, or K31?

Get whatever one seems like it will be the most fun to you.

Mausers have tons of variety, from action types (89,91,93,95,96,98), to configuration (carbines, short rifles, long rifles), to caliber (more common calibers like 7.62 Nato, 30-06, etc, common calibers like 8mm Mauser, 7mm Mauser, 6.5x55, 7.65x53, etc, and rare calibers like 8x50r, 8x52r, etc.).

Lee Enfields have a little less variety, calibers are generally limited to .303 and 7.62 Nato. They also tend to be in the short rifle configuration only (yes there are carbines and long rifles, just not even close to the same quantity as the short rifles).

K31s are well K31s, not much variety in them. Beautiful rifles though, which I absolutely love (I possess most Swiss rifles from 1889 to the 1950s).

Also I wouldn't really consider the M98 Mauser the apex of the bolt action, the only reason it is still a popular action is because it can handle higher pressures than most the alternative actions which matters more for the sporting community then the military community. It became the most popular rifle for a while more due to marketing and luck then anything else (Mannlichers were popular alternatives until after WWI, when Steyr wasn't allowed to produce firearms for foreign markets, that left Mauser rifles only and even then not German Mausers rather FN and CZ produced rifles).

The problem I had with the K31 is that after I fired it, I had to have every other Swiss Rifle made. I honestly never had that reaction with an Enfield or a Mauser. So I think I have 5 straight pull Swiss rifles, all different, I do have more Enfields but there are just more varieties of them. I'm thinking at least 7 including the 410 single shot, the Grenade launcher and the Indian 308. Mausers, at least 18 that I can think of off the top of my head from at least 10 countries.

All of the military firearms I own or have owned make me want more an more.
Maybe thats one reason I buy an sell an trade them for a living now lolololll

Lee Enfield for me, every one has a personal preference but for spares if something goes bust, mag capacity 10 + 1 V's the K-31 or the Mausers, 6 for the K-31 which has pressed paper charger clips (Our guys just brought spare mags for the speed shoots)and 5 for the Mausers plus you will always be chasing your brass if cycling the K-31 at speed they launch a case @8' in the air and 5' to the rear right.
As for cycle speed it would be neck and neck between the K-31 and the Lee with experienced shooters but the K-31 would probably edge the Lee out, we do not see many K-31's here probably about 5 in our club, plenty of Mausers including the Swede's majority MkIII's with the No.4's close by.

Its just personal choice really and what crops up in the search for one of the trio your wishing to acquire.

lyon13
I have owned an ex-Israeli Mauser in 7.62, still own a LE No1 Mk 3* and LE No 4 Mk2.

I found the action of the LE to be smoother and faster than the Mauser, the 10 shot mags a bonus [cut them to flush fit for 5 shots]. Especially the No 1 just seems to be easier to handle than the Mauser. The Mauser always felt chunky, and jerky in action.

The reason for disposing of the Mauser was the smoother action, handling and working of the LE. The Mauser used to be my hunting rifle, replaced by the No 1.

Accuracy between the three rifles with standard military ball was the same at the same distances. Literally fired thousands of shots through all of them, still fine. Ammo isn't a problem.

Of course, the LE was never manufactured for commercial use, only military [remanufactured for commercial sales yes], as was the K31. Many Mausers were made for sporting use only.

Lyon13: Back to your original post- you mention wanting a rifle that could lead to conversation around the gun rack. Goes without saying that Mausers and Lee Enfields are orders of magnitude beyond the Swiss guns in the history department. Unless you're guests are predisposed to an interest in things Swiss, those conversations could be pretty short if a K31 is the main attraction.

Ridolpho

It's mostly about how much money you want to spend. However, Lee-Enfields of any type have a few issues caused by places like Century Arms and other people assembling rifles out of parts bins with no QC. The total lack of QC resulted in most, but not all, milsurp Lee-Enfields having headspace issues. Easily fixed, but not cheap these days and it's more expensive with a No. 1 Rifle than a No. 4 or 5. Usually doesn't apply to Indian made(Ishapore) Mk 2/2A's though. Those are not rebarreled No. 1 Mk III's. They were purpose built out of new a better steel in the 1960's. Rarely applies to No. 5 Rifles(Jungle Carbine is an American marketing term) either, except there are hordes of fake No. 5 Rifles out there.
Which rifle has the most head turning appeal depends on where you are at the time. Mind you, these days, any milsurp in full military configuration will turn heads. There are fewer Swiss rifles around though. Most people wouldn't recognise 'em.

I get a chuckle out of reading the responses and seeing where everyone is from. No offense to anyone because I understand where you are coming from but all the Enfield recommendations come from Commonwealth guys, no real surprise there.

Hey wait I love my Enfields even the cut up sporter coarse I love all military firearms

Well we could hardly ask the Turks or the Germans if we could use their weapons now could we!:madsmile:

Thats like saying its no surprise the M1 Garand is liked by those in the United States of America!