New Swiss Finds: 1940 K-31, GP-11 and M18 Stahlhelm

[Hcompton79]

Oh no! The Swiss bug appears to be hitting hard. I picked up a number of items over the weekend.

Number one is this K-31, I got a taste of Swiss rifle performance with my IG1911 but wanted a K-31 to compare and this one showed up locally. I went to take a look at it and it ended up coming home with me.

The serial number range would make it a 1940 produced rifle. It has a few dings on the stock and the bluing is about 90% but the stock doesn't show the usual sings of beaver chewing. All parts are matching including the wood and magazine. The barrel is in the usual excellent condition, chromed look throughout with sharp lands and grooves. It is import marked, but fortunately this was done on the bottom of the barrel where it is fairly inconspicuous unlike some of those ghastly import marks under the Swiss crest sometimes seen on other K-31s.

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Number two is 120 rounds of the good stuff, bricks of 1983 production GP-11 ammunition, wax around the neck and all.

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I now understand why these rifles get such acclaim even in comparison to the other great Swiss rifles. I do not know if the trigger on this example has been worked on, it does not appear to have been when I had it out of the wood but it is excellent. It is even lighter than that on my IG11 and breaks at slightly under two pounds. Also, I have heard that some find the action of the K-31 to not be as smooth as some of its predecessors. I would argue the opposite, both are leaps and bounds better than a Steyr M95 action, but the K-31 seems to glide into battery more easily.

I shot some of the GP-11 at 135 yards offhand and put 19/20 rounds in a 4" bull which for me is pretty good shooting. I may consider putting some diopters on this rifle in the future.

Number three was not something I went looking for but ended up negotiating into the purchase of the above rifle and ammunition. It appears to be a Swiss M18 helmet. The textured finish to the outside is in good shape as is the liner and webbing. It's surprisingly comfortable and doesn't interfere as much with getting a cheek weld on the stock as I would have thought.

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The grand total for this weekends expenditures works out to just shy of $500 which based on the going rate and upward trend for all things Swiss surplus seems like a good deal.

Also exciting is that I found a troop tag under the butt plate, unfortunately I can't quite make it out. It may be in French but the handwriting is a bit difficult to decipher so it could also be German and I just can't read it.

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The top line looks to me like "Pt. Jean M." and I can make out "I/226" in the second line but I am at a loss for the bottom line and uncertain about the name. If anyone can make this out or offer any suggestions let me know.

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[Eaglelord17]

Nice grouping! Personally I am a massive Swiss fan and love pretty much everything they have on the go.

In regards to the smoothest Swiss Action, I personally think the IG 1911 is likely the smoothest though the K93 is still a very smooth carbine (that M90 based action is smooth provided it is well maintained and put together). Of course practically the K31 is always the winner at the end of the day just because it is smaller, handier, cheaper to produce, and has a 100m sight setting.

[speckles]

If you have not figured it out yet, you will need a lot more GP11. My G11 is my best shooting infantry rifle in my whole collection. Looks beat and worn but it is old faithful.

[kar98k]

Nice rifle. If the Swiss made cars like they did firearms, they'd look amazing and we'd be driving those everywhere for decades, i'm sure of it.

[Pavia]

Nice rifle. I own its brother, 1940 K31 serial number 621455. They both mobilized together to defend against Hitler. You need to get the 1940 soldiers medal to go with it. Enjoy!

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[RC20]

I too am enamored with the K-31 though the 1911 is also a very neat rifle.

I got the flip of the Troop Tag, no import marks but no tag.

You do need to get a bayonet though

I built a 7.5 Swiss off a Savage 270 (low cost) action and enjoy it as one of my 3 target guns.

The best option (at least for old eyes) is the St. Maire (or that type) clamp on scope mount. Does not mar the gun, solid as a rock.

You do need 22 Warne rimfire rings for it, but they hold a scope fine. Not sure why so small but its not an issue.