First K31!

[zekes]

First I want to say hello! I'm new to the gun owning buisness, I purchased a K31 from Simpson Limited, and I was wondering if anyone here knows a bit about the K31. I've done a lot of research on it, and my particular weapon is 1942 beechwood, which is interesting because I've heard Walnut was the preferred standard stock before 1944.

It comes off the ten-day hold tomorrow, I can't wait to check it out. I want to make sure it's mechanically safe to fire first, are there any things I need to worry about visually before I take it out to the range?

Anyway, here it is, when I got it shipped in and completed my safety test on it:

[zekes]

Oops, I realized I put this in the black powder group and not the Relics subforum. my bad.

[chknlyps2]

Oops, I realized I put this in the black powder group and not the Relics subforum. my bad.

You'r in the right place.... welcome to the forum!

There is a sticky above http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=528460 that has a bunch of good info about your new rifle.

There are also many of us here on the forum that enjoy our Swiss rifles.

[Orbiter]

Congratulations on the acquisition! My first firearm was a K31 as well, purchased only a few months ago. It's quite a beautiful rifle.

I would recommend inspecting the chamber and bore for debris or damage, and check to make sure the action cycles. When you operate the bolt to load a round, make sure you cycle it with authority and push it all the way forward - this makes sure the bolt is in the correct position and will not lead to light strikes.

Surplus ammunition is difficult to find, but when they do crop up you can usually buy them for $0.50 per round. I recommend SGAmmo. Try putting an alert for 7.5x55 Swiss on ammoseek.

When you do get to shoot the K31, brace the rifle well because it kicks quite hard. Left a huge bruise on my shoulder for a week after less than 20 shots.

[rdfact]

Congrats on the new K31 - they are finely made rifles.
If the serial number on the bolt matches the receiver, the headspace should be OK, but it's always good to have it checked.

As Orbiter mentioned, push the bolt forward with authority to make sure it locks completely. The serial number on the bolt should be visible and directly in the middle of the receiver, not off to the side when the bolt is fully closed.

[slamfire1]

I am still hoping that someone makes a 7.5 X 55 Wilson type cartridge headspace gage. Like this:



I fired my K31 in an vintage rifle match this weekend, without either the sawback or 1918 bayonet attached. K31's are surprisingly accurate for a service rifle, unfortunately the sling attachments are not made for sling shooting, as the upper band sling attachment is on the side. I have tried shooting the rifle with a hasty sling and it is sensitive to sling tension.

[Freedom_shooter]

I too just purchased a K31 from Simpson. They said it was walnut but it looks a little light. Maybe it was refinished with a lighter stain.
Now just get a nice bayo for it. I'm not much of a bayo person but the quality of it is unsurpassed in the bayo world. You can get one for $50 from Midway.

[1-M-42]

Spend some time at swissrifles.com and use the link to get you to the Swiss Rifles message board. Best source of all things Swiss weaponry. You'll most likely not stop at a single K31.....be prepared to have an IG1911, Kar1911, 96/11, M1889 or even a ZFK55 join the family.....

[Mustang]

Notice the grease ring around the Swiss bullet. The Swiss shot greased bullets up to the 1980's. Remember General Hatcher claiming the pressure problems of the 1921 Tin Can ammunition were due to greased bullets? The Army claimed it pinched the bullets. How could the Swiss fire greased bullets for decades and not notice any pressure problems if the Army was right?




Maybe the US Army lied?

That is not grease, but rather wax sealer.

[Mustang]

You will not be sorry...K-31's are incredibly accurate.

My sons and I have been shooting them for some time and recently I outfitted one with a clamp on scope mount, Bushnell scope, and muzzle brake.

I took it to the range and shot both some handloads and GP11...At 200 yards, it shot amazingly well. After moving from 100 yards to 200 yards, I noted that the point of impact shifted considerable to the right. So much so, that after two shots of my handloads, I felt like I better adjust the scope, lest the rounds land completely off target. about .83 MOA for my handloads.



Then the GP11 (it really is the Gold Standard in 7.5 x 55 ammunition) .63 MOA!

[zekes]

Thanks guys for the detailed information! I might buy a bayonet, I made one myself out of wood, probably not going to put it on the rifle but it was an interesting attempt nonetheless.

Spend some time at swissrifles.com and use the link to get you to the Swiss Rifles message board. Best source of all things Swiss weaponry. You'll most likely not stop at a single K31.....be prepared to have an IG1911, Kar1911, 96/11, M1889 or even a ZFK55 join the family.....

Oh I know, I'm allready thinking about an IG1911, I do have a longing for a proper long rifle....

[Mustang]

I too just purchased a K31 from Simpson. They said it was walnut but it looks a little light. Maybe it was refinished with a lighter stain.
Now just get a nice bayo for it. I'm not much of a bayo person but the quality of it is unsurpassed in the bayo world. You can get one for $50 from Midway.

I think that is walnut. Some European walnut is lighter than other types.

I'm interested in the sticker on the hand guard of your rifle. Can you post a complete pic of it? It could be a match sticker...indicating that it was shot in a match over in Switzerland.

[Freedom_shooter]

I think that is walnut. Some European walnut is lighter than other types.

I'm interested in the sticker on the hand guard of your rifle. Can you post a complete pic of it? It could be a match sticker...indicating that it was shot in a match over in Switzerland.

These are the stickers. I found nothing under the butt plate.

[Enfield47]

Congrats on your K31, they are very accurate rifles and you will love it. I added the clamp on muzzle brake and clamp on scope mount (both from Swiss Products) to mine and both work really well. If you don't reload for it yet, Prvi makes ammo for it and the brass is excellent for reloading, so save your brass.

[Mustang]