New sportered Swiss rifles

[Calfed]

I recently picked up a sportered 1911 and a sportered K31.





They were both cheap and I wanted something that I could modify and not feel bad about having "ruined" a historical piece.

Questions:

Does anyone have any experience with sportered 1911's or k31's?

Are they as accurate with the barrel "floated" as they are in a full military stock?

The K31 is cut down to a configuration that closely mirrors the 31/55 sniper version of the K31. I have a number of Swiss product pieces (muzzle brake/aluminum scope mount/bipod, etc) that I was planning on using to make a "faux 31/55". (I know how cheesy that sounds). Anyone attempted this? I also have a couple of spare K31 stocks to put it in if the "faux 31/55 doesn't work out.

Thanks

Information

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[Patrick Chadwick]

Are they as accurate with the barrel "floated" as they are in a full military stock?

They should be. My G96/11 was set so that the barrel floats in the center of the nickel-silver sleeve at the front. And according to Poyer ("Swiss Magazine Loading Rifles", P72) that is just how it's intended to be. The sleeve has clearance. In my case, the clearance gap had become plugged with verdigris from the sleeve plus crud. I cleaned that out to free the barrel, and had the most accurate "off-the-shelf" service rifle I have ever held in my hands. I am now puzzling how to fit a scope without drilling the rifle - a "wash me, but don't make me wet" problem.

G11 must be the same, and K31 should be even a touch better, because of the more rigid barrel.

Patrick

[Calfed]

They should be. My G96/11 was set so that the barrel floats in the center of the nickel-silver sleeve at the front. And according to Poyer ("Swiss Magazine Loading Rifles", P72) that is just how it's intended to be. The sleeve has clearance. In my case, the clearance gap had become plugged with verdigris from the sleeve plus crud. I cleaned that out to free the barrel, and had the most accurate "off-the-shelf" service rifle I have ever held in my hands. I am now puzzling how to fit a scope without drilling the rifle - a "wash me, but don't make me wet" problem.

G11 must be the same, and K31 should be even a touch better, because of the more rigid barrel.

I've got several original condition 1911 and 96/11 rifles and know about the barrel sleeve on the 1911 series rifle. That is why I feel free to mess further with the bubba'd 96/11. I've never seen those barrel sleeves for sale (or replacement 1911 military stocks, FTM) and probably wouldn't go to the trouble of removing the front sight to re-install one if I did find one. That means that this 96/11 will never be returned to original condition. If it proves to be a good shooter, I was planning D&T'ing and seeing what a scoped 96/11 is capable of.

When you cleaned out the gunk in your barrel sleeve, Patrick, did you notice if the barrel was floated for it's entire length?

Thanks

[Patrick Chadwick]

Yes it was. I did the thick paper test. It slid right up to the knoxform or whatever one calls the thick bit.
BTW I think you are quite right - those rifles were already sporterized, so you can do what you like with them.
If you can work out how to attach a scope without drilling, I would be delighted to hear how to do it!

Patrick

[jamie5070]

Have you checked with s&k to see if they make scope mounts for your rifles? They offer a lot of mounts that allow you to mount a scope and not modify or D@T it.
john

[RCS]

Brownell's has a nice Swiss Products scope mount that is attached without drilling to the right side of the receiver. I have a friend that uses the St Maries scope mount that also is attached to the right side without drilling, I understand that while the St Maries is expensive, it is one of the best mounts.

[coppertales]

Darrell makes a nice scout mount for a K31. Just google darrell scout mounts to find him...chris3

[Calfed]

I have a Swiss Products aluminum clamp mount for the K31 and will start with that. I'm intrigued with the Rock solid mount, because it centers the scope over the bore center, but man--$200 is a little pricey, even installed.

http://www.rocksolidind.com/gpage.html

Swiss products makes a d&t scope mount for the 96/11--might try that

[Calfed]

I finally got to the range last week and got a few shots in with these sporters using some GP11

I only had a 10 round box of GP11. After using a round in the K31 at 50 yards to ensure that the front sight was centered, I shot 5 rounds @ 100 yards on a 5.5" reactive target. After the second shot @ 100 yards, the handguard flew off and I ended up shooting 3 more in a vain attempt to get a decent group. The first two rounds at 100 weren't bad--they were centered and a litle less than an inch apart. The next three after the handguard came off went a bit wild, but were still on the 5.5" target.


The 96/11 did considerably better. After shooting 1 round at 50 yards with it, It then put the last three into a clover leaf. This was the 96/11 @ 100 yards (8" reactive target):


After I was done shooting, I took a look in the barrel channel of the K31:


The barrel is far from "free floated", being fairly hard over against the right side of the barrel channel at the end.

I think these both have good potential. I'm thinking seriously about drilling and tapping the 96/11 to see how it does at longer ranges. I'm wondering if this would have any potential as a long range target rifle with the proper sights.

[Patrick Chadwick]

I think these both have good potential. I'm thinking seriously about drilling and tapping the 96/11 to see how it does at longer ranges. I'm wondering if this would have any potential as a long range target rifle with the proper sights.

Yes. go for it - it will probably be first-class!

I have written this before, but so what, maybe the whole yorld hasn't heard yet! My G96/11 is the most accurate "out of the box" service rifle with "off the shelf" ammo (GP11) that I have ever had in my hands. It is just the open sights that prevent one from achieving its full potential. I am puzzling how to fiddle a Parker-Hale aperture backsight and/or a scope onto it without drilling or tapping. No solution yet!