Aim Surplus has rather attractive prices on these rifles and considering the fact that I'm nearing completion of my house rebuild (following a chimney fire) I'd like to get one to celebrate. I understand that there are some differences in the chambers between these two and was curious if one is preferable over the other for any particular reason. Also, I see that Redding has their dies as being marked for the K31, are the others for the 1911? Thanks for any input,
Eric
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Hello Eric, I have had both rifles. I prefer the 1911 for cast bullets. It has a longer throat and shoots cast at least as well as a Springfield if not better. The K31's that I owned had short leades and the chambers were cut larger. The 31 is said to be stronger and has a much shorter action. The rear sight on the 1911 is farther out in front of my eye and I get a much clearer sight picture. The 1911 have a longer barrel and sight radius than the K31. There is an engineer's rifle (carbine) that is about the same over all length as the K31. I had a carbine with saw back bayonet and it is now the love of someone else's life. I like the 1911. I've had one for over 25 years and have shot it a LOT! I took it deer hunting one year with 150g Hornady spire points and the locals were impressed. I got off three aimed rounds at a running deer and missed with the biggest grin you can imagine. Either rifle is a fine choice. I just like that long barreled 1911 because it hangs out there for offhand like a good muzzle loader and is easy to work loads up for. When I started shooting these things there was no 7.5X55 brass but Norma and I had kids to feed. I've been using .284 Winchester brass and some C-H dies and see no need to change. Get them both I say and sell the one that you dislike or like less. They will fetch a bundle some day when they dry up.
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Thanks for the info, just the type of thing I was hoping to hear. I've only handled one but it looked like a very well made rifle and you're probably right that they will go out of sight when the current supply runs dry. Do you have any particular favorite bullet designs for yours?
Eric
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I haven't found a cast bullet that won't shoot any better than another. I like the 1911 the best so I can give a better idea of my experiences with it. It seems to like any normal cast bullet of any sensible alloy at it's appropriate powder loading. I kind of think of it as a funny looking Springfield. I've used mostly Lyman molds from 150 to 205 grains. I size them to .310".
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I had both in carbine lenght. Kept the Mousqueton 31
The action of the K31 is infinitely better,shorter ,sturdier and has a faster lock time .
My rifles were almost new , and liked short nose bullets.
For the K31 there are innumeradle original scope mounts and target micrometer sights either open or peep sights .
The 1911 extraction takes more effor too.
If you do not like the throat of the mint K 31 , just pass a throating reamer that you like.
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I had both in carbine lenght. Kept the Mousqueton 31
The action of the K31 is infinitely better,shorter ,sturdier and has a faster lock time .
My rifles were almost new , and liked short nose bullets.
For the K31 there are innumeradle original scope mounts and target micrometer sights either open or peep sights .
The 1911 extraction takes more effor too.
If you do not like the throat of the mint K 31 , just pass a throating reamer that you like. Yes sir, Giorgio is correct.
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heh i got a 1889 rubin ... rear lugs ... the good news it is in good condition ... with matching numbers ...the bad news is it has been “ sporterized ” , so just an interesting shooter, not collectable . pretty neat piece of work for 1889, eh ? $180 shipped, pm me if .
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If you have the luck of getting a mint or very good bore , the short throat of the
K 31 allows the correct loading of the SACO 311 bullet or one of the short NEI bullets of Ed Harris design.
I used to the gun shows in Switzerlans where I found alot of goodies about their obsolete GI guns and gear .
Authentic Carl Zeiss or Kern field glasses were priced around 40 Francs
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Giorgio What is the rear sight on your K-31? buy that in Switzerland
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It is an open sight ,with click adjustements, I bought it at least 10-15 years ago at a Swiss Gun show ( Waffen sammler borse) in the town of Lausanne or Luzern.
It is made by one of the big european target sight makers , Anshutz or Hammerli , I do not remember whitch one.
It came with a higher front sight , mounted on a collar screwed in front of the issue sight . ( where I had inserted a small fiber optic, as I just cannot see the normal metallic sight)
I had an original Peep sight , that was calibrated on the Issue swiss ammo for 300 meter shooting ,and was not compatible with cast bullets trajectory.
I love my K31 ,and use it for short distance targets , say from 50 to 100 meters .
In the eighties , at the Codogno range,we used to compete in matches with old GI rifles ,200 meters ,from the prone ,with s sling, I used a rem 03A3 with a new two groove barrel from Numrich, I preferred the original peep sight.
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A lot of good information here! Very neat rear sight Giorgio. Chances of finding such a thing over here would be pretty slim I imagine. Thank you all,
Eric
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You are tempting me , I might make a trip to Switzerland to investigate.
I might go to a big gunshop in Luzern , located on the old stairs from the cathedral to the marker square.
Must wait until most of the snow is thawed on the Gotthard Pass, because I hate to travel trough the highway tunnel .
Some years ago I went to UK using the car ferry boat from Dunkerque to Dover , because of my hate of tunnels .
The next Lausanne Foire internationale aux armes will be on Dec 4 2015
The next Luzern Waffensammlerborse will be in march 2016
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heh i got a 1889 rubin ... rear lugs ... the good news it is in good condition ... with matching numbers ...the bad news is it has been “ sporterized ” , so just an interesting shooter, not collectable . pretty neat piece of work for 1889, eh ? $180 shipped, pm me if .
I may be wrong but I've been told that the '89's run tight across the lands. I have a 1911 with a Cutt's compensator and peep sight in a rollover stock.
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The Swiss infantry shot a lot of rounds in their annual two weeks of military service , you must have the luck to get a rifle issued to non fighting soldiers .
And the national matches are well crowded.
The swiss bullet were steel jacketed , but puwder and primers were non corrosive .
Rifles with a P in the serial number are private property of the soldiers .
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Two of the K31's that I have owned had the soldiers name and address name on a piece of white plastic under the butt-plate.
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It was the usual practice in the Swiss army , which is a kind of militia ,they have no professional standing army.
The Swiss tipe of Confederate state , their feedom and army have much inspired the US constitution .
A merit of their belonging to the protestant lutheran and cavinist religion.
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Buffalo is a wise man. We are fortunate to have him here. But I'm still resisting getting one of those Swiss contraption rifles.
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Delmarskid, Somebody put quite a bit of work into that one!
I think I'm going to go the K31 route, might shoot it in the postals once things get settled here.
Eric
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The K31 is a fine rifle. I'm sure that you will enjoy it. Yeas the sporter is a good looking rifle. It fits and points well.
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Buffalo is a wise man. We are fortunate to have him here. But I'm still resisting getting one of those Swiss contraption rifles.
You are missing out on a real treat. They run off rounds like a self loader.
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I have both a K31 and a 1911. I found the 1911 more accurate with 311291 cast from pure linotype. I don't remember the powder charge, but it's in my shooting journal.
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Had one of the Swiss 7.5s years ago in EU. Sorry I can't remember which model and no cast bullets at that time.
BUT, I can tell you they are built about like a shooting Swiss watch! Beautifully made (saw quite a few of them in addition to mine), they ALL shot lights out, and won a ton of the 300 meter Mil matches I saw/shot in. It was probably the #1 rifle winner, followed by the Swede 96/38.
Unfortunately, couldn't get get mine back when I came home. Damned BATF. But imo, you won't be sorry if you pick one of these up as a celebritory gift to yourself! I keep looking at picking up another one!
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Sorry, forgot. Big reason they are very accurate is that they have a free floating bbl. Those and the Finn M-G are the only two old mil rifles that have that, and both are known for their accuracy. Oh, and they ARE both basically 308 caliber! lol
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I ended up with a K31 which shoots well with the NOE k31 bullet and 15 gr. of 2400. I haven't really done much load development as that loads shoots 1.5-2” groups all day long which is as good as my peepers will allow me to do with open sights. It's become a favorite for 100 yard offhand work with the 4” gong.
Eric
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I ended up with a K31 which shoots well with the NOE k31 bullet and 15 gr. of 2400. I haven't really done much load development as that loads shoots 1.5-2” groups all day long which is as good as my peepers will allow me to do with open sights. It's become a favorite for 100 yard offhand work with the 4” gong.
EricNow I'm just jealous.
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i have an extra 1889 model S-R ; it is just a shooter as somebody carved up a sporterized ( ??? ) stock ... be good for cast plinking tho . pm me if interested . trade ? or $150 shipped . cr i assume .
ken
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