K31 vs K98?

[Capybara]

Reading all of the K31 threads on the C&R board here, you guys have me thinking that would be a rifle that I would enjoy and really appreciate the accuracy and craftsmanship. The low cost ammo available as well is very appealing to me.

But I have always liked Mausers as well, which I understand good ones are getting hard to find. I have a CZ527 Varmint and I love the mini-Mauser action so I know I would like a K98. I have a CMP Garand coming in the next few months so that will be my first C&R gun.

I know all of you are going to say, "buy both" and I probably will but between a K31 and a K98, which one is the better deal, more fun to shoot and more interesting to you and why? When you buy a rifle these days, you can't think, "Oh, that rifle is $300.00". You really have to think, "Oh, that rifle is $300.00 and it will be another $300.00 for a decent amount of ammo."

Recommendations for the C&R newbie?

[Bhobbs]

You can't go wrong with either but in my opinion 8mm Mauser ammo is a little easier to find than 7.5x55 Swiss. I had a K31 and I just never liked it much but may buy another one in the future.

[sactobill]

I'm a newbie as well and I don't have any experience with the K98 but I took my K31 to my first silhouette match a couple of weeks ago. I was shooting Privi factory ammo. Let me say that I am by no means a good shot but the K31 is one accurate rifle. My first bank were turkeys at 385 meters. Ummmm... I've never shot at anything that far before. With the help of my spotter (thanks Ford!), I hit 7 out of 10 turkeys. Of course after that I sucked but boy what a rush!

Get a K31! Soft recoil, beautiful rifle, accurate as heck.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Bill

[dogfood]

I would imagine that K98s are going to be floating around for a while longer that the k31s.
I have had both and the K31 was very nice no complaints at all. It depends on what you're looking for in a rifle. If you're looking more for a piece of history than get a K98k, if you want the finer firearm go for the K31

[filric48]

I have two Mauser's and a k31 go with the k31 and reload ammo. The k31 is a well made and very accurate. I just picked up a Portuguese Mauser have not fired it yet 04/39.

[OldShooter32]

I am at heart a gas-gun man, but do admit the K31 is fun to shoot. Ammo is pricey (what isn't?) but is all match-grade. The low cost (relatively) for an accurate rifle makes up for it to a degree.

[7.62x63mmUS]

Can't beat a Yugo M24/47 Mauser for the current price of around $200. K98's definitely have the allure of history and are great rifles but being an owner of both if you just wanted a Mauser and didn't give a crap about history go with the Yugo. I've handled and fired relatives/friends K31's. They are good rifles but seem a little more complex than the Mausers. Despite their straight pull and edge in accuracy I think the Mauser is a better weapon and probably more durable. I'd definitely buy a K31 if funds permitted though.

[DasBoost]

You can't go wrong with either but in my opinion 8mm Mauser ammo is a little easier to find than 7.5x55 Swiss. I had a K31 and I just never liked it much but may buy another one in the future.

My worry after buying my K31 was finding ammo but a lot of vendors carry the milsurp GP11 and PPU makes both the Prvi and Wolf Gold 7.5x55. Prices are fairly reasonable and there's a decent enough amount of reload data out there to roll your own.

I'm a newbie as well and I don't have any experience with the K98 but I took my K31 to my first silhouette match a couple of weeks ago. I was shooting Privi factory ammo. Let me say that I am by no means a good shot but the K31 is one accurate rifle. My first bank were turkeys at 385 meters. Ummmm... I've never shot at anything that far before. With the help of my spotter (thanks Ford!), I hit 7 out of 10 turkeys. Of course after that I sucked but boy what a rush!

Get a K31! Soft recoil, beautiful rifle, accurate as heck.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Bill

My K31 is faaaaar more accurate than I am. After shooting my K31, I have to shoot my Mini14 to keep me from getting cocky. Lol.

[chickenfried]

more accurate, better trigger k31
more interesting from the collector side of things K98. But then again a k31 might have a tag with the info of the soldier that last used the rifle. So...

[Latigo]

............

[Capybara]

I know what that smiley means Latigo. It's all your fault.

Gotta get the Garand first but both the K31 and the K98 intrigue me. They both seem like they would be really fun shooters.

[1-M-42]

K31, hands down. I discovered them late but I'm making up for it now. I have three K31s and a M1911. They are all scary accurate. Ammo is not that expensive and GP-11 is truly match grade. Reloading components are easy to find. The soldier tag under the butt plate is one of the coolest things I've seen in a long time. Three of my four rifles have them and the chance to connect with a previous owner/soldier is priceless.

[Rhythm of Life]

Let my post rephrase everyone else:

You want history, k98
You want accuracy: k31

I hope to acquire both yet the k98 is the one that take precedent.

[1-M-42]

Let my post rephrase everyone else:

You want history, k98
You want accuracy: k31

I hope to acquire both yet the k98 is the one that take precedent.

I agree but, don't discount the history of the Swiss rifles. When I got hooked on them I started reading about the Swiss Citizen Soldiers, the defense of the country during WWII and the development of the rifle. I was amazed. Yes, the Mauser was certainly used by more countries and in more battles but the Swiss rifles is no historical slouch either.

You hit the nail on the head though....get both!

[pro-nra]

IMO if you must have a Mauser and accuracy to rival that of a K31, get a Swedish M96 then you get the best of both worlds. Very well made and on par with the K31.

At our local matches K31s and M96 are always in the top three high scores. Although I own several K31s along with couple of 1911s and a K11, I only shoot US rifles in our matches (1903, 03-A3, 1917 & Garand).

Good luck with your search.