K31 Swiss Rifle (Video 12:52)

YouTube.com ^ | 8-23-2012 | hickok45

[servo1969]

Showing and shooting the classic Swiss K31 in 7.5X55mm. Hope you enjoy seeing this very interesting design that comes to us from a very interesting country when it comes to firearms history.

[servo1969]

I would really like to have one of these old Swiss rifles. They can still be found for several hundred dollars but I can't justify the expense.

I really enjoy hickok45's videos. They're always so informative. I believe his son operates the camera.

[Jagdgewehr]

I follow hickock45 religiously. Love his videos.

[Army Air Corps]

I knew a guy in grad school who had one. Those guns are fun to shoot.

[smokingfrog]

I don't shoot near as good as hickok.

J&G had them for about $350 a couple years ago.

[running_dog_lackey]

I got one of those. It used to be issued to Ernst Weber.

[beebuster2000]

what does the ring do when you pull on it?

[running_dog_lackey]

This is easier than explaining.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiDgqBqyiCM

[smokingfrog]

Basically, that’s the safety.

[smokingfrog]

The K31 was a totally new design by Eidgenossische Waffenfabrik in Bern, Switzerland under Colonel Furrer, and the gun does not have the Schmidt-designed 1889 or 1896 action. The first 200 K31s were made in May 1931 for troop trials (serials 500,001 - 500,200), thus the model number of 1931.
Some contain Troop Identification Tags Under the Buttstocks
These are very nice
7.5x55 caliber, Straight Pull.
Legendary Accuracy
Stocks are Walnut or Beechwood

Item # LNG-K31-Rifle......$349.99

http://www.classicfirearms.com/k31-rifles

[beebuster2000]

interesting. the ring is basically a combo safety, cocking mechanism. clever. you don’t need to operate the bolt to recock the firing pin.

thanks

[FreedomPoster]

Here, this link needs to be on this thread:

http://www.swissrifles.com/

This page is devoted to the Magazine-fed Cartridge Firing Service Rifles of Switzerland. Switzerland sits on the crossroads of Europe. Yet, their steadfast resolution to remain neutral has kept them out any foreign engagements since the time of Napoleon. In order to guarantee their neutrality, every eligible Swiss male between the age of 18 and 42 serves in the Swiss Military. On a person/square mile basis, only Israel fields a larger army. Every male is issued a rifle and ammunition which they keep at their home in case of national emergency. Throughout their history, the rifles issued have shared some common qualities, notably fine craftsmanship and extreme accuracy.

[yarddog]

I bought one in the mid 60’s. It was the long barrel version. Those rifles were beautifully made but seemed a bit clunky to carry and use. Back then the price was one of the lowest of any, just the opposite of now.

The straight pull worked flawlessly and just like everyone says mine was accurate. The only source of ammo back then was Norma. I reloaded the brass but they always warned not to go too high on pressure as the case head was not fully supported.

I wish I had it back. The receiver and bolt were pretty massive.

[The KG9 Kid]

Of all the C&R military surplus rifles available, the K31 is the most accurate of all if it's in fine condition as most all of them are -- and there are several milsurp rifle models out there which are highly accurate.

I got my K31 about ten years ago, hand selecting it from a pile of other K31s because it had almost 99% receiver bluing where the others were only 98%. It had slightly beaver-chewed Beech furniture as they all do, some worse than others, but I've since refinished it to the point it's almost too good to take outside: It's got no marks on the stock anywhere although it's now finished in a non-original Cherry oil stain topcoat with satin matte Poly sealer for a deglossed military look. I also reblued with Birchwood-Casey on the scarce areas that needed it.

My total expenditure for this rifle -- plus the sandpaper, sealer, and stain -- comes out to about $130, all told. I've spent more than that on a single shoebox-sized 480 round carton of Swiss GP11 7.5x55mm ammunition for it.

Next addition to the rifle are the imported Swiss diopter sight kit like on the middle K31 shown in the picture below.

[servo1969]

I am terribly jealous of you.
Those are some good looking weapons.

[The KG9 Kid]

Those aren’t actually mine, It was just an example pic of the diopter sight I need to order for my own K31.

All told, that’s only about $500 worth of rifles in that pic, the most expensive parts being the diopter sights.

The K31 rifle is an incredible bargain even at a price of $250, which seems to be about the current going price of a common import Swiss K31. Target shooters could spend $3000 or more for a rifle thats still not as accurate as a $75 surplus K31imported into the US in great numbers just a few years ago. I still see them at gun shows all the time.

[Jack Hammer]

Supposed to be very accurate and well made, plus fun to shoot - much like the Swedish ‘96 Mauser.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

When I bought mine they were almost giving them away. They have some of the prettiest machine work I’ve ever seen.

[SWAMPSNIPER]