Bought a Swiss K31

[ArmedGinger]

So I had a chance to buy a K31 which I've wanted for awhile.

There is nothing special about the rifle itself but it did come with a couple things that are very interesting. First thing that I noticed was the rifle came with the original Swiss Army manual, dated 1956.

Finally, for those that don't know about K31 rifles, the Swiss Military puts a troop tag underneath the buttplate of the rifle. These are just a small tag that has simple info such as the name, birth year, sometimes the unit they were a member of, and their home address at the time.

So through a little research I found the second owner of the rifle. He is the ex son in law of the original owner. He told me that his ex father in law was a member of the Fusiliers in the Swiss Army. He said that he would pass along some more info when he had more time (he was away from home at the time).

 

[Tempest 455]

Nice that you got the tag! Great rifles.

 

[Mudburner]

Too bad Oskar wasn't from Vienna...
(Oh, I wish I was an...)(old song)

Anyway, couldn't resist. The only K31 Swiss I ever saw was owned by a guy at Big Piney in Missouri. He let me shoot it so I got to handle it for a while.

The quality of workmanship, the beauty of that rifle was superb. It is evident that the Swiss have deserved a fine reputation for quality. I forget if he let me shoot factory or handloads, but the accuracy was outstanding. It was a pleasure just to look at & handle the rifle, but shooting an old bolt-action mil-surp was the real fun. I hope you get a great deal of enjoyment from yours!

 

[415m3]

I've got one too, love these rifles. Be forewarned...they have very light triggers! Surprised me when I first took it out.

 

[Rookie]

I have one with the troop tag. Stock was badly chewed up as many are so i sanded it down and oil finished by hand. It's a beautiful piece now. I added a no‐drill scope mount and an old Leupy Gold Ring 4 power scope. Added the usual screw-muzzle break. Worked up a mild handload with 150gr SGK. super fun gun.

 

[ArmedGinger]

Took the K31 for some test shots. Loaded up the mag, set the rear sight to 300 and after a couple shots figuring out how much front sight to use, I was ringing the 300 yard gong with ease. Not bad for a rifle it's age using surplus ammunition

 

[Tempest 455]

Great surplus ammo, probably the best. I had my 75 year old father in law hitting IPSC target size over and over at 500 yards with irons and GP 11 after we got him on target.

 

[fpgt72]

I have always looked at these but never bought one. Last weekend I came across two fairly nice examples at two different gun shops.

I was tempted but decided I need another caliber to reload for like I need a hole in the head.

I have "a thing" for straight pull rifles and this is an easy one....will likely kick myself for not grabbing one.