"Overview of the K31 series of Rifles- Part 2"

[UCSPanther20]

My brother has one. Its stock is quite rough, but the action is gorgeous and it is a fascinating rifle from a mechanical standpoint - almost as cool as the Canadian Ross action.

Very accurate too. It feels more like a precision tool than a battle rifle.

[64ig6kg0]

What bullet seating depth should i use???

[TheSuperspudnik]

hey do you know what bayonet fits the k31 because my great uncle brought back a swiss HSW sawback bayonet dated 1937 from his service in ww2

[chuckb666]

@TheSuperspudnik Yep, the sawback bayonet should fit on the K31. I have this (beautiful) bayonet too and 4 K31s on which it fits like a glove. Great stuff!

[chuckb666]

@TheSuperspudnik Yes, it should fit without any problem. I have this beautiful bayonet and 4 K31s on which it fits like a glove. Go and get a K31 now. You won't regret it.

[TheSuperspudnik]

@chuckb666 yup i found out for myself christmas eve my papa bought the one i was looking at for a couple months at cabela's and it fits nicely with it the K31 is beautifull and is beechwood and has the troop tag

[rattinox]

Vihta Vuori 550 rifle powder is superb for the Swiss, especially in cold weather, like Minnesota at -32F.........yeah, I ski and shoot in those conditions......just another insane Swede.

[rattinox]

That mount is actually so much better for southpaws, BUT I had to make a sheet aluminum brass deflector for reliable ejection.

[majajh]

Graf makes good brass.

[reddevilparatrooper]

I took my K-31 to the range one day with a little bit of Tennesse elevation and Kentucky windage I put 57 rounds into an 8 inch bullseye almost dead center with the exception of 3 rounds . I used was 1970s production RUAG government surplus ammo . This rifle could almost outshoot my Rock Island M1903 . Great video !

[NickCampbellSoup]

Great videos on an excelent weapon. My uncle collects a lot of surplus rifles and when we go out to shoot the K31 is one of my favorites for long range shooting. It is an extremely accurate weapon. Striaght pull bolts offer a greater rate of fire and as demonstrated by the K31 it could be made as reliable and accurate as a standard bolt gun.

[TheRusty58]

I shoot from time to time with the army K31 of my father which did military service with this rifle until 1978. To hit a 20 centimeter target at a distance of 300 meters is also without scope not a masterpiece with this rifle. A 20 cm target corresponds to a four on the Swiss B-4 orderly target. Regards from Switzerland

[mrpreserveourcountry]

Nice video. Do those stripper clips work on the G11 model schmidt rubin?

[dwwilliams72]

That's it!!!!! I want one. I just bought my first K98 this past weekend and I saw a few of these at the gun show in Houston. Didn't really look at them too close because the mauser was what I went for. I had read that the K31 was more accurate, but that didn't deter me from seeking out the 98. I don't recall what they were asking for them though. What kinds of prices do you see these going for in your area? By the way, your videos are great!

[troopcom]

It would be nice if they would make a mount that put the scope over the bore.

[swordsman3000]

@troopcom "they" do

"they" being Rock Solid Industries....send them your barreled receiver and for about $250 they make and mount it to your gun, it's Picantinny style so you can use better rings, and it also has a nifty little 'tab' that deflects the spent brass away from your scope...But it means your stripper clips become gun-safe decoration

some will scoff at "ruining" the historical value, but the K31 is 1 of the few milsurps that looks good with the modern mount / scope

[thespaniard47]

man i am so torn between the mosin, yugo mauser, and the k31. i want cheap but also accurate and good looking. do you have a prefrence?

[ApollonPythios]

nice video!

greetings from switzerland

[touge242]

that's it. I'm getting my hands on one even if I have to go to jail to fund it.

[MrPennyworth007]

hows the recoil?

[semiautoriflelover]

You can buy a heavy barrel model 700 and get groups like that, I'm not sure if it's more accurate than any modern quality rifle.

[dwwilliams72]

@semiautoriflelover I think the point of him talking about it;s accuracy is that it is a design that is ~70 years old. If I bought a modern rifle of ANY brand name, I EXPECT to get those kinds of groups. These types of guns are mil surps that were mass produced.

[MAROSS396]

Is there a video for field strip and cleaning

[JTHM3247]

The first rifle I bought was a k-31, it made me very biased very quickly. Of all my rifles, the k-31 is the only one I will NEVER sell or trade.

[SpartanMaster7]

Great video, it was very informative. Keep up the great work, I can't wait to get one of these amazing rifles for myself

[Ofidron]

Nice string of videos, man ! It definately refined my knowledge about vintage firearms. Thank you. FIRE !!!

[JNT20]

where did you get the scope rings from?

[Braun30]

Damage on stock comes from the "at ease" position from attention.

The idea was that you kept the rifle with your right hand with butt at right foot.

When ordered at ease you would spread feet and pass rifle muzzle to a position with both hands keeping it in front of belt buckle.

With left foot you were supposed to hit the butt of your comrade's rifle at your left, causing a unison "Krumpp".

Do this with with hobnailed shoes, handed out up to 1975, and the gnawing away is explained.

[Braun30]

Hit 5 rounds in 30 seconds at 300 metres last saturday, 16 October 2010, on our military targets I got 3-4-5-5-5 the 5 being the bullseye.

Open sights, setting 400 and aiming at the base of the black area at the centre of the target, we call it aiming "6 o'klock black".

Ammo was military stuff, marked 64, that means produced in 1964.

In the end shot 100 rounds to test some shooting programmes, big bruise at the end on right shoulder.

[67dodgepolara]

I only have one, got it for $125. My favorite and most-interesting rifle by far and I have a few...

[bolijack]

Good vid, congrats! I shot thousands of rounds with the Karabiner31, won some prizes too :-)) The accuracy is just great, only down is the recoil. Never shoot just clad with a light shirt, your shoulder will scream :-((

[mag30th]

@bolijack Seriously? You are complaining about the recoil of the K31 Swiss? It is one of the lightest recoiling 30 cal's around comparable to an Enfield.

On my post where you were mocking my marksmanship, I say it again here, I honestly don’t believe that you have much, if any, experience with these rifles at all, in fact, I wouldn’t doubt your "thousands of rounds" you claim fired were in a video game.

Again, I look forward to you (Bolijack) posting some of your stuff.

[mag30th]

@bolijack I called it, bolijack, your only experience with the K31 Swiss was in a video game, just like a mentioned, here are one of your COD posts, “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare bolijack. August 26th, 2010 on 5:07 pm.”

Does playing this really hurt your shoulder? Is this where you “won some prizes?”

[bolijack]

@mag30th Stupid person! I served - as all healthy Swiss Men - in the Swiss Army, possesed a K-31, is now out of order due to my age :-((I dont know what ammonution you were using, but the reglementary 75 mm steel manteld shots do HAVE a terrible recoil together with the mechanic outlay of the rifle itself.

I never played any games, contrary to you I am no boy anymore.

[mag30th]

@bolijack Well someone is using your handle in COD forums, and the recoil is minimal compaired to most any other 30 cal rifle.

[8thman420]

you sound like that guy from eastbound and down

[artard1456]

@8thman420

IM KENNY POWERS! YOUR FUCKIN OUT!!!

[swenner64]

Do you ever have problems chambering the Lee full length sizing die. I do, but with the Lee Collet die it work great. Would a Neck crimping die help? I have both, but the full length sized round don't feed well into my gun. I have to sometimes jam the bolt forward to get them to battery.

[MrRossocrociato]

We still take our rifles home but what we take home now it's the SG550.

[doomfromheaven]

I was wondering what height scope rings you got from Millet, since I plan to use a 10x40mm Scope on my K31, I was just trying to find a point of reference.

[doomfromheaven]

Where did you get your stripper clips from? I've been looking around, but some places want to charge $6.70 per stripper clip, and that's just plan ridiculous.

[Iraqveteran8888]

I bought mine back when they were a buck each. All I can tell you is supply and demand dude.

[jjw5150]

Are we sure the K31 will fire when you demonstrate the bolt not in full battery? I mean I don't want to find out... I have a few k31's. And in my early "ignorant" milsurp rifle collecting days, I am almost positive I have dropped the hammer with the bolt in this position and the rifle did not discharge. Now I am not saying this happened for a fact and I am not saying doing this is safe. I or maybe somebody might try it on an empty primed cartrige?

[Iraqveteran8888]

All I am getting at is that the conditions are present for a possible slam fire if the bolt is out of battery when the trigger is squeezed. If you were to inspect the primer of a round that had the out of battery bolt to fall on it, chances are it would have a small divot in the primer that would likely resemble a dimple from a free floating firing pin on an automatic.

All I am saying is it could happen.

[MosinDragunov1891]

I was thinking of getting a K31 but the thing that keeps me from buying it is ammo. I don't have the room for reloading and primers of all kinds are nigh on impossible to find however, I'm still severely tempted to buy a nice K31.

[UniteForgetLeftRight]

ammo is pretty cheap i just bought 40 rounds for $25 at a gun show, originally the guy wanted $35 but i haggled him because he knew he would have a hard time finding someone else to unload it on

[majinboo75]

its me agine now you got me wonting a cheap k31 rifle dam who can bye one from or what ever plz hook me up with a link dam good video and im loven my 91/30 what scope mount do you recomend for it my91/30

[Iraqveteran8888]

Rock Solid is the only good mount for any Mosin unless you make your own.

[barccy]

@Iraqveteran8888 What about Darrell scout mounts for the 91/30 and K31? Have you heard anything about them? I'm thinking about ordering them.

[tt35166coupe]

I just bought a 1940 k-31 in very good condition with walnut stock (looks tiger striped) I have heard later on the quality wasnt as good as the earlier rifles, is 40 a decent year have not fired it yet thanks. jon

[Iraqveteran8888]

@tt35166coupe

I have a 42' and I love it. Trigger is very crisp, fit and finish is excellent. I see no difference other than the better quality wood.

[tt35166coupe]

Thanks for the reply!!! shooting it this weekend. BTW have you ever reloaded gp11 or any other berdan primed brass?

[Iraqveteran8888]

@tt35166coupe

I have about 300 GP11 casings laying around for a rainy day. There is a way to convert them to boxer primed but It is very time consuming.

You could in theory use the RCBS berdan primer decapping tool to remove the primer, but then comes the trick of finding a source of the proper sized berdan primers.

In addition, even with the correct components, even the best berdan primed case is only good for 2-3 firings as the anvil begins to flatten out, rendering the case useless.

[tt35166coupe]

True but hell for what norma wants for brass it sure would save some cash for a while. i found a cool article that explains how to make a primer remover using water pressure with a couple washers and some copper pipe pretty cool and that guy also mentions where he gets his berdan primers but it is quite old I think.

[Iraqveteran8888]

@tt35166coupe

Check graf and sons. They occasionally have limited supplies of the serbian 7.5x55mm casings that are basically the same as the Wolf Match Gold casings. They are very well made.

You can also buy .284 Win brass, anneal it, and size it in your 7.5x55mm dies. Trim off about 0.004" and you are good to go.

The head dimensions are just a little bit smaller than factory 7.5x55mm, but it fire formed just fine, and feeds and extracts fine.

[tt35166coupe]

sweet did not know about the .284 win brass will have to try that thanks allot man.

[tt35166coupe]

HAHA you mentioned it in this vid had'nt watched the whole thing until just now.

[Iraqveteran8888]

@tt35166coupe

Dude, I can't even remember all the crap in my videos, no problem...lol

The .284 is the way to go if you want to go on the cheap.

[tt35166coupe]

lol yeah I just compared it to norma brass on google shopping and it's about half as expensive thanks again.

[Meade1863]

My K-31 is handsdown my favorite high power rifle. If you check out ebay, you will find a lot of original accessories (bayonets, slings, stripper clips, front sight protectors and different Swiss manufactured iron sight configuratons that mount over or work with the standard sights). They are Swiss engineered brilliance. The "diopter" unit is pricey, but worth it.

[TheDukeofWellingtons]

Do you have the diopter sights?

[Meade1863]

I have the sight system for my rifle (front and rear assembly - you need both). Bought a set for my Brother-in-law as a gift. I have none to sell. There is a vendor on Ebay that goes under the name "Rubinvetterli".  Check it out. I have transacted with him multiple times. His high Ebay rating is well-earned. Will answer other questions, buy the 500 word limit here is tough to work with.

[TheDukeofWellingtons]

I see, so how do you like it? I have a 3 k-31,2 have scopes and I'm thinking of doing the diopter sights.

[Meade1863]

I like the diopter sight very much.  I generally prefer iron sights to scopes, I am just old fashioned. The are expensive, more expensive than the rifle! If you have 3 K-31s, then you like them. It is different and it might be worth a try.

[TheDukeofWellingtons]

Hey, thanks a lot. I'm old fashioned too. I was wondering, what was your best grouping with those diopter sights?

[Iraqveteran8888]

@Meade1863

I am curious to hear about groupings with the diopters as well.

[Iraqveteran8888]

@TheDukeofWellingtons

What kind if groupings are you getting out of your scoped K31s?

[TheDukeofWellingtons]

I have 2 K31s that are scoped, one has a scout type mount, and the other is the mounted like yours in the video. The scout is sub-moa (sub ~0.75''), and the other is sub 0.5'' moa, like yours. I have another with iron sights, but i never tested, but I have hit 1000 yds targets many times. These guns are so amazing, and cheap for what they are.

[Meade1863]

Duke,

I consider myself to be at best an average marksman. When I sighted in the diopter for the first time I took 13 shots at a 100 yard target and began walking them into the bullseye. The first three shots were 2:00 in the eight and nine ring. The next 10 shots were all in a 3.5 inch ten ring. 4 of the six were in a 1 3/8 inch "X" ring and one was just out of it. The shots outside of the "X" were in two tight groups to the right and then to the left as I adjusted for windage.

[Iraqveteran8888]

@Meade1863

I plan on getting an original set of diopters for my 40's era K31 ASAP.

Very nice rig!

[Meade1863]

No question they do cost, but the rifle itself is a bargain. It is unique and classic, so I did spring for this unusal sight. The Swiss made a variety of supplements to the stock iron sights. Some only make micro adjustments for elevation. Others will adjust for both windage and elevation and are less costly. All but one of them are easy on and easy off.

[flynscot]

Excellent video survey of the Karabiner... I own two also and love them.

One other (possibly main)reason for the "beaver chewing" is the configuration of the Swiss soldier's backpack. Trifle was humped essentially between the frame of the pack and the pack itself, with the butt of the rifle prodruding from the bottom of the pack frame just above the soldier's tailbone-- easy to see how it could get whacked around. There is an excellent picture of it on one of the forums.

[Iraqveteran8888]

I completely feasible and plausible theory...

I have to agree. I have seen the packs loaded down before...the rifle is out there in the elements for sure.

[idgewe]

cool that helps , i might try some out thanks iraq vet

[idgewe]

ive been looking at the 7.5x55 swiss surplus (gp11) and it seems to have an exellent reputation for accuracy, although it all seems to have steel jacketed bullets do you think thats a bad thing ?

[Iraqveteran8888]

@idgewe

The Swiss do not engineer anything by accident. The jacket made of nickel. The GP-11 cartridge is a very good design and capable of very decent feats of accuracy.

[spacemanspiff2012]

Nice video! I just bought a K31 last week. It should arrive at the gun shop this week. Can't wait to get out to the range and see how she does.

Have you ever tried the Mojo microclick sights? If you could do a review on them, that would be really great.

[Iraqveteran8888]

If I had a set of Mojo micro click sights I'd be happy to review them, but I've never owned them.

A buddy of mine has a set on his Yugo M48 and loved them. I can vouch that they are a quality made product. I have seen them in person and they are made very decently.

[spacemanspiff2012]

The Mojo looked pretty good to me, and they're a whole lot cheaper than a diopter sight. My old eyes don't do that well with the notched sights, but I'm a decent shot with peep sights.

[realisticfacto]

There is a better mount out there than the St. Marie mount, although St. Marie is functionable.

Thanks for the reload info.

I am glad there is someone out there that loves this gun as much as I do.

Good Vid.

[Iraqveteran8888]

I like the idea of the "rock solid" mount for the K31, but I can't bring myself to drill and tap my K31s.

For what it is, the St. Marie mount works good when set up properly and with a decent scope and set of rings.

[IronsightsBopp]

Do you own a Swedish type mauser, I would love to see a video of one. My grandfather used the m96 when he went to Finland during the winter war. That 6.5mm round is great.

[Iraqveteran8888]

I'm looking into buying one ASAP. I want to get a nice clean Garand first. When I get one, you'd better bet I'll make a video.

[2902ao]

Now you have really sparked my interest in this rifle. What an accurate gun! Amazing. Does it do even better with Match king?

[Iraqveteran8888]

I'm sure it would...I havent tried any!

That .5 MOA group is a SP!!!

[2902ao]

I was never too interested in the Rubins before because I have old reloading books that said they were weak actions, blah blah, blah....now I see those old books are wrong. Maybe they were refering to the oldest models? I dunno.

[Iraqveteran8888]

The original 1889's action was strong but it was the bolt design that made the weapon a little weaker. The locking lugs were placed to the rear of the action near the trigger, which is probably the reason most handloading manuals suggest extreme caution. Have a hot round and the rifle would fail right in front of your face...literally!

[drewsky112]

hey,

can you use the iron sights with that scope mounted?

[Iraqveteran8888]

Yes you can.

[drewsky112]

Sweet I have finally come to the conclusion that there's now zero reason for me not to have one : )

[wat720]

Could the scope mount be put on the other side of the rifle for a left handed shooter?

I'm left eye dominant and it would be hard to use the scope if its on the other side of the rifle.

[Iraqveteran8888]

Not without a considerable amount of machining work.

You could pick up one of the rock solid mounts that mount directly over the axis of the bore, but you will still need to drill and tap to install it.

[norwegianwiking]

Allways use good steel rings when mounting scopes, cheap, low grade and\or "tactically light" aluminum rings and bases are complete crap.

[Iraqveteran8888]

I agree...The mount itself is made of steel.

Alluminum rings are garbage IMO

[RabeHK]

we still keep our personal weapons at home ;)

[Iraqveteran8888]

Thats how our country's military needs to do things...

I think America should follow the Swiss example to a "T"

[FolowingTheLamb]

Great video. Thanks a bunch for the piece about closing the bolt all the way. Wanting to get one of these, and I can definitely see myself making that mistake. I'm usually a lot more gentle with my guns than I need to be, and in this case, should be!

[Iraqveteran8888]

Hopefully these types of videos will get better in overall quality. I am working hard to produce the best result I possibly can.

The k31 is a fine rifle!

[AA550cord]

Still my favorite military rifle for accuracy. Shot mine in my first VMAR match last weekend. My rifle is much more accurate than I. She performed well in the same condition as I got her. What a machine! I'm going to buy a couple more while their still available.

[Iraqveteran8888]

I agree....I think no military rifle collection is complete without at least a walnut and beechwood stocked K31 Swiss.

I used to have 5 of these rifles, but economical woes forced me to part with a few. The 2 in this video are the nicest out of the bunch.

[robin6512]

Damn seeing this just reminds me of being stupid enough too sell mine.

Think I have to buy anew one.

[Iraqveteran8888]

I know...I feel like a real asshole for selling my Model 1911 Infantry Rifle. That Rifle had the sweetest trigger!

[serekithegreat]

Damn, I didn't know this rifle was this amazing. Gonna have to get one now. I like the stripper clips too. Definitely sold on this rifle.....

[3OCALM1]

A .443" group @ 100 rocks!

I've used IMR-4064 and 4350 for the 7.5 but not the powders you're using. For bullets I've used surplus 173 gr M118 and Sierra 175 MK's. I haven't shot either of mine in a while but these videos have me thinking about it again. I've thought about getting a St. Marie scope mount but wanted to hear what someone else said about them.

Very informative set of vids.

Thanks for doing them.

[Iraqveteran8888]

Thanks 30CALM1!

[ECTBWHO]

NICE!

[majorporpoise]

I'm gonna try to get one at a gun show tomorrow!

[Iraqveteran8888]

I would... :)

[swords13639]

Nice rifle and review. How much do K31's cost now?

[Iraqveteran8888]

Anywhere from $200 on up to $500 depending on the condition.

[Dp908]

Awesome vid. I just realized my walnut K31 has a birchwood top guard, lol. I have a question for you, I've heard all other die companies only cut their dies to the 1911 chamber except redding, which cuts theirs to the K31 chamber which is shorter, and that some ammo loaded in say RCBS or Lee dies may fall too far forward and in the chamber and you'll get an FTF. Is this true or is that redding lying to get us to pay 60 dollars for a 2 die set?

[Iraqveteran8888]

I meant to address this issue, but forgot to.

I personally think it's a bunch of marketing bologna...My Lee dies produce wonderful results and in the 4 rifles I have fired round in made from Lee dies I have had zero issues and the accracy is superb.

Now one product Redding makes that I reccommend, is the comptetition seating die for this caliber....Very nice. In need to pick one up ASAP.

[Dp908]

Alright, thanks. I might ask for a set of dies for X-mas along with my lymans great plains hunter in 54 cal I'm getting. I really want to shoot this thing more, but I also want to hunt with but I want to hunt with my mauser to. lol. It sucks when you have so many guns you can't even decide what you want to hunt with... but thats where hog hunting comes in so I can kill as many as like. lol

[AA550cord]

I have the RCBS match die set. They are way nice. The bullet seat alone is fabulous. It makes the seating easy and incredibly accurate. I agree, probably not necessary, but nice to have.