Considering a Swiss

[Enfield47]

I was at the range on Sunday and during a line break I saw someone with a Swiss rifle. I only had minute to talk with him before the line went hot again and the wife and I were leaving for the day. I'm not sure what type it was, it looked smaller compared to my Enfield so I'm guessing it was a K-11. He mentioned that the bolt was pretty stiff and that was his only complaint, he said that it was a tack driver.

So I've had zero experience with the Swiss rifles, is one model preferable over another? Are the bolts stiff as a general rule? Which model do you recommend? I saw the ones at Simpsons and they have a special of 20% off Swiss rifles now. I'm thinking about picking one up but I don't have a C&R so it would have to go through a lgs which adds about $125 including DROS. Should I just wait, get my C&R and COE then buy one or buy it now?

[pro-nra]

Was it a long rifle or a Carbine length? It could be a K31 or , K11 carbines, 96/11 or 1911 long rifles.

The bolt should not be stiff at all. He either did not properly lube the bolt or something is wrong with it as all Swiss rifles are well like Swiss watches. The machining on the Swiss rifles are top notch and almost as good as a $90 Mosin in precision. Seriously if you want to be impressed with the machining, take apart a K31 bolt an you will see what I mean about precision machining.

If you want an accurate shooter, I would either go with a 96/11 or a 1911. Both have longer barrel and sight radius over the carbines so will be a hair more accurate than the carbines. Whatever you choose, you will be happy with it. I would rate them as follows: 96/11, 1911, K31 and K11.

[OldShooter32]

I love my K31 and have the scope mount on it. It is a tack-driver and keeps me honest. I have to take the blame for a miss.

Keep an eye out. Someone locally will have one for sale at some point and you can FTF them.

[Enfield47]

Thanks for the feedback. I believe it must have been a carbine then because it looked much shorter than I expected. Do the carbines have a lighter weight (narrower stock) than the full length rifles? I have never really given then a second thought until I saw how much you guys like them.

That's nice to know that the bolts are supposed to be smooth. Hopefully I can find someone locally, I much prefer to do a FTF over a lgs.

[penguin0123]

The bolts are smooth, but you do need a bit of force to open it because not only are you rotating the lugs, you are also cocking the firing pin. If you are cycling fast, you won't notice at all. Some people also fails to close the bolt all the way, which could lead to firing pin failure / light strike because part of the energy is used to rotate the lugs. With practice, you'll beat an SMLE at the mad minute.

If this is your first Swiss, I would get a K31. After that, get a Gewhre 1911 or a 96/11. Do NOT shoot GP11 out of a 96; 96/11 is ok. When you pick out your rifles, insist on having a soldier tag unless it was a private series or a club gun. If they ask extra for the soldier tag, tell them to piss up a rope (there was an online vendor that did that, name escapes me right now).

[Tanner68]

I have never heard of someone regretting picking up a K31. They are well made and accurate rifles, and the GP11 is great ammo. If you don't love shooting with irons yet, you will. And they are easy to scope if you want, and the process is easily reversible.

[ducky_0811]

I just picked up a K31 myself, havent gotten to shoot it yet but Im already head over heels for it. It has, hands down, the cleanest breaking two stage trigger I have ever felt. Better than my NM M1A. You wont be disappointed.

[SanPedroShooter]

I just picked up a K31 myself, havent gotten to shoot it yet but Im already head over heels for it. It has, hands down, the cleanest breaking two stage trigger I have ever felt. Better than my NM M1A. You wont be disappointed.

Your damn right about that my friend. Between all the misurp and milcopy guns I own, the K31 I got yesterday has the cleanest trigger by far.

Its a smooth travel to the stop, then a light snap for the actual break.

Even my wife noticed, and she thought the K31 was another Garand....

[DennisCA]

These guys have a ton of them:

http://www.simpsonltd.com/

Enfield47: Check your PM - I sent you some info

[Guisan]

A simple method to see what carbine it is. Rounded magazine bottom and metal bolt knob with the rear sight starting at 100 meters is K31. A flat magazine floor plate and a brown/reddish bolt knob with a rear sight starting at 300 meters is K11 or similar.

[Enfield47]

It must have been a K31 based on the bolt. It was a plain metal bolt knob.

Thanks Dennis, I sent you a pm.

[Enfield47]

So I am hopefully going to look at a K11 and K31 this weekend. Is there anything special I should be on the lookout for? Are the older style bolts on the K11 as strong as on the K31? I'm primarily looking for a good shooter and I know from what I have read that K31s are the best. How does the K11 fare in your opinion by comparison?

[Guisan]

The K11 has a thinner and shorter barrel and the sight radius is less as with a K31.

[BruinGuy]

Just pulled the trigger on a K11. With the discount they have right now, there's no reason not to! $236 + shipping. That is a steal when you consider people are paying that for a basic Mosin right now.

It looks very nice on the website, described as:
85% blue, very good bore, good stock, 23.5'' barrel, Made in 1926. Original blue finish and walnut stock. Matching bolt and magazine. Includes sling and muzzle cover. The metal and wood show some wear and handling. Mechanically fine. The bore is clean and strong. Muzzle=7.57+.

I chose based on bore first, and then good bluing and matching numbers. I think I got it, but I'll see when it gets to me. I want a great shooter.

By the way, the folks at Simpson are very pleasant to deal with. I couldn't resist and added a little Husqvarna .22 to my order. May as well enjoy the C&R while we can, right?

[nubrun]

Just pulled the trigger on a K11. With the discount they have right now, there's no reason not to! $236 + shipping. That is a steal when you consider people are paying that for a basic Mosin right now.

It looks very nice on the website, described as:
85% blue, very good bore, good stock, 23.5'' barrel, Made in 1926. Original blue finish and walnut stock. Matching bolt and magazine. Includes sling and muzzle cover. The metal and wood show some wear and handling. Mechanically fine. The bore is clean and strong. Muzzle=7.57+.

I chose based on bore first, and then good bluing and matching numbers. I think I got it, but I'll see when it gets to me. I want a great shooter.

By the way, the folks at Simpson are very pleasant to deal with. I couldn't resist and added a little Husqvarna .22 to my order. May as well enjoy the C&R while we can, right?

Post pics up when you get it. I saw the discount simpsons has on the 11 now, and I almost pulled the trigger.