Getting a K-31?

[eightmd]

I'm thinking about getting a K-31. I know there aren't as many around, and I'd like a good Swiss shooter. I think about $300 is right.

Any advise as to the best place to find them? Other things to look for? What do you guys think the price is going to be?

Thanks

[ElvenSoul]

Grab it! There are no more surplus imports. The well has gone dry.

[1-M-42]

If you have an 03 FFL, go to simpsonltd.com They have the best supply and are honest and accurate with their pricing. Spend a bit more and you'll get one in incredible condition. Nearly every Swiss rifle has a very good to ex or better bore, nature of the beast. Scroll through the photos and find one you like. Call and ask for Floyd, he'll talk you through it.
If no C&R FFL then you'll have to go FTF, check the for sale section here, they show up every once in a while.
Matching numbers, %of remaining blue, condition of the stock (most are chewed up, Swiss are famous for it), and any extras (matching bayo, muzzle cover, diopter sights, fine adjustment sights) The extras add money.
www.swissrifles.com for info on what's available and links to forums and products.
You must realize though, it won't stop at one....I have three k-31s, two M1911s and a K1911 on the way.

[chickenfried]

I'd go with the $250 special at simpsons

SWISS K-31 RIFLES
Grade 1 - Very good or better condition with clean bore, straight pull bolt action, Cal. 7.5mm matching bolt and magazine, sling and muzzle cover included

https://www.simpsonltd.com/specials.php

[rojocorsa]

Simpsons or private sellers...

[mcmikeblues7]

I saw one in the marketplace forums earlier today for 350. but I would go with simpsons

[Latigo]

If you have an 03 FFL, go to simpsonltd.com They have the best supply and are honest and accurate with their pricing. Spend a bit more and you'll get one in incredible condition. Nearly every Swiss rifle has a very good to ex or better bore, nature of the beast. Scroll through the photos and find one you like. Call and ask for Floyd, he'll talk you through it.
If no C&R FFL then you'll have to go FTF, check the for sale section here, they show up every once in a while.
Matching numbers, %of remaining blue, condition of the stock (most are chewed up, Swiss are famous for it), and any extras (matching bayo, muzzle cover, diopter sights, fine adjustment sights) The extras add money.
www.swissrifles.com for info on what's available and links to forums and products.
You must realize though, it won't stop at one....I have three k-31s, two M1911s and a K1911 on the way.

+1

[OldShooter32]

1-m-42 forgot to mention that the reason the stocks are beat up is that the riflemen use the rifle to knock open their ski bindings. It isn't abuse; it is patina and character! I never thought I would enjoy a "furrin" rifle so much. I shot mine in the long-range match over the weekend and it did its part!

[Latigo]

Welll.. actually it was their hob-nail boots that had protrusions on the sides of them too.

[Paulie Lugnuts]

It is possible to find one with a nice stock. Be patient and pay a little more, it will be worth it in the long run. Here's a pic of ours, it took several monthes of looking to find it. Not perfect, but much nicer than all the others I looked at.

[eightmd]

Thanks guys, yea I was looking at Simpson and it seemed like a reasonable price. I don't care if the stock has some ware as long as the barrel is good and they claim it is. I'm not really collecting to get a relic as much as getting a good shooter for a reasonable price, and fixing it up to make it look the best is part of the fun. Thanks.

Juanito is selling a nice K11 but I thinking I like the K31.

Is the ammo pretty hard to find? Any good sources to look at there? I reload so I could eventually get into that if I have the brass or reshape some. I saw a very long sticky on that in this forum.

[1-M-42]

GP-11 is still readily available via several dealers, obviously shop for the best price. Prvi makes brass and it's pretty good

[Chach]

They're beautiful rifles that shoot very nicely. I always get questions at the range when I take mine out. Ammo is available though just as the rifles have increased in price, so has what you feed it. I was checking my records the other day, and I only paid $150ish for my K31s a few years back. Surprised they've gone up to the $300 range.

Don't forget to check under the butt plate when you do get your rifle, may find a tag detailing to whom the rifle was first issued.

[Irish Gunner]

I was going to start a new thread, but it kind of ties in here. I am also looking to get a K-31 when my 03 shoes up (hopefully in next two weeks). Samco lists all theirs with "cracked" stocks but there are no pics. I was leaning toward simpson just because each is individually described.

Are "cracked" stocks so common that this should mean something to the collector. I am new to this and want to get a good shooter so a little character is a plus, but a crack that will eventually split off firewood is not. What should I be looking for here?

[1-M-42]

None of mine have had cracks, though I did choose one K-31 because of a unique arsenal repair on the side of the stock. +100 on Simpsons, call and ask for Floyd, he's a great guy and will really help you find what you are looking for. I've read over every Swiss rifle listing on Simpson while shopping for mine, small percentage have cracks though repair work is common. I actually like the arsenal repairs, they certainly add something to the story.