German Mauser or K31?

rotarymike

rotarymike

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Looking to get another WWII collectible. Considering a K31 or a German K98 - prices are about the same. I already have one Mauser, a Yugo M24/47 and I love it. This gun would be a collector, but to be shot as well.

Thoughts? I'm leaning towards the Swiss, but I'd like to grab a real K98 before they disappear from the 'affordable collector' category forever.

Also, slightly considering a Swiss K11, but I like the stronger action of the K31.
 
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Hands down the K31. The only German K98 you could get anywhere close to the price of a K31 would be a Russian Capture , and that would be a total mix master of parts! I would say for around $300 to $350 you could get a really nice all matching K31. K31's are also by far one of the most accurate Milsurps available. Another rifle to consider if you don't have one would be the Finnish M39, similar price and a tack driver!
 
That's ok, no hard feelings- just encouraging any Forumer that might have one or a pic of one in their own archives. :idea:

However- don't take my banning you for a month personally, ok? ;)

Only kidding of course, smartypants. :P

Now you might want to put a pic up for me... :twisted:

You guys kill me sometimes! :lol:
 
You pull/push the ring on the back of the bolt to load/extract rounds? Seems kind of odd to me. Does it lock up nice and tight like a mauser type bolt action does? Reminds me of some older attempts on repeaters that could actually put the action out of the rifle and into your face! Who has owned or fired one, we need first person intel here!
 
The ring on the back is actually the safety ring. You pull it back and I believe to the right to put the gun on safe. The charging handle is on the right side, and yes you pull straight back to extract the casing and forward to chamber a new round. It locks up very tight. A K31 was actually my first milsurp bs still one of my favorites! Midnight, type K31 into YouTube to see them in action! I can bring mine to the fall shoot if anyone wants to take some shots with it.
 
The K31, like the Austrian M95's are straight pull actions. Its amazing how it works, but it does, and it is a real tight action.

I am surprised that more modern hunting rifles do not use the same action as it allows much faster follow up shots than with the traditional bolt actions. Pull back, push forward; you don't take the rifle off your shoulder.
 
Wow - ordered it yesterday, got it today.

Initial inspection of condition: very smooth action, bore looks good, wood is a little beat up. Going to look at steaming/ironing the dings out before I go an refinish it. Need to spend some internetin' time finding out all about it - other than the importer mark and the Swiss crest, for example, where are all the markings?

I'm kinda surprised at how light it is. How is 7.5x55 ballistically compared to 8mm Mauser or 7.62x54R? If it is similar as I remember from research, the K31 must kick pretty hard.

I'll try to get pics up over the weekend.
 
Seems like a lot of Swiss rifles have fairly dinged up stocks. The Swiss 7.5x55 round is very similar to the 8mm and 7.62x54r and yes it has some kick! The surplus gp11 ammo is really good stuff, snatch some up if you haven't already. A couple good websights to visit for information on the K31 are surplusrifleforum.com and gunboards.com, both have Swiss sections.
 
SmokinTurkey said:
Seems like a lot of Swiss rifles have fairly dinged up stocks.
Click to expand...

It has been said that the term Beaver Chewed was coined when the first K31's came on the surplus market. Apparently they got lots of drilling which was rough on the stocks.
 
So, according to serial number mine was made in 1941. Pics:

IMG_1395.JPG

IMG_1398.JPG

IMG_1400.JPG

IMG_1402.JPG


This one shows the dings I'm talking about:
IMG_1404.JPG


Metal is in very good condition, blue is pretty good too. Not sure if the buttplate is supposed to be blued or in the white, and also not sure that is the proper handguard for the K31 (although the serials match).
 
Wow! That's a good looking rifle! I love the tiger striping in the stock. Mine is also a 1941. Have you looked under the butt plate for a troop tag? Some have one, some don't. Did you buy it from an individual or a dealer?
 
No tag- I was a little disappointed by that. I'm afraid to mess with the stock for fear of ruining the tiger striping- I like it too.

Came from classic arms- they have a bunch right now, including k11 long and short.
 
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