Schmidt-Rubin K-31's

[Buford]

A good friend just gave me a Schmidt-Rubin K-31 - what can you knowledgeable folks tell me about them?  I have looked at them for years and knowing the reputation the Swiss have for quality and workmanship, I have been curious.  I have not intention on altering it - I just want to play with it and learn a bit about it.  Thanks for the help.

[savageT]

Buford,
Yes I understand that those straight pull K-31's are real keepers!  Only draw back is finding the ammunition.  I seem to recall there is a collectors site in my favorites.....will look it up for you.  Good Luck with the latest aquisition and keep us informed on how you like your new Swiss watch.
http://pub125.ezboard.com/fcollectorguns35625frm1

[Jack Crevalle]

A good friend just gave me a Schmidt-Rubin K-31 - what can you knowledgeable folks tell me about them?  I have looked at them for years and knowing the reputation the Swiss have for quality and workmanship, I have been curious.  I have not intention on altering it - I just want to play with it and learn a bit about it.  Thanks for the help.

The fact that he gave it to you should tell you something, just send it to me and I'll take care of disposing of it for you.  :wink:

Actually these are great firearms and very accurate. Ammunition is available in the form of match grade, 1970's manufactured, berdan-primed, milsurp stuff, or Portuguese FNM, or $Norma$, or you can supposedly form your own brass from .284 brass. Graf and Sons is supposedly going to start selling ammo and brass branded as their own last spring, this July, this summer, you get the picture.

The 1970's GP-11 milsurp stuff is match grade but being berdan primed you might not be able to reload it. Some guy on one of the forums is trying to get together a mass buy of berdan primers from Russia.

The FNM stuff is a source of brass. That's all I have to say about it.

The cartridge can be reloaded using .308 bullets and there is commercial reloading data available in the Sierra manual.

THE definative swiss rifle reference is:

http://www.swissriflewebsite.com/ be sure to check out the FAQ, that is where much of the useful info is.

[Mikey]

Buford - you are a lucky guy to ahve been given one.  SavageT and Jack are absolutely correct, but send it to me instead.  I will spend lots of time and tlc with it and then take it to SavageT and ask for his help with more of the same.  The Schmidt-Rubens take the 7.5x55mm Swiss cartridge, which I think is a real sweetheart.  .308 bore and same cartridge length as the Swede 6.5x55. Lyman 43rd and 45th manuals offer reloads that put it on par with the 308.  Brass is available as jack mentioned.  

Had a very nice one.  Great bore, accurate, darn good cartridge, neat action and excellent quality, smooth and quiet.  Works very well on whitetail and worked for me.  Have fun.  Thanks.  Mikey.

[Buford]

My friend ordered two of these little beauties - $99.95 + $12 shipping - I did not expect much - well, it turned out I was pleasantly surprized! Both had matching numbers, bright-sharp bores, pretty good bluing, and darn good stocks.......yes, the stocks have a couple dings in them from being used for half a century or more, but in good shape in spite of that.  Both had the orginal owner's names on a piece of paper under the buttplate. That was the best $200 + he ever spent, and one of the best gifts I have ever received......now, I just need to find ammunition!

[Jack Crevalle]

. That was the best $200 + he ever spent, and one of the best gifts I have ever received......now, I just need to find ammunition!

These guys appear to have the milsurp stuff. It is the best you are going to find commercially. I haven't done business with them. The last place I bought from ran out.

http://www.ammunitionstore.com/