Swiss Schmidt Rubin
Is there anything I need to watch for when buying one of these rifles that might be a problem.
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Grizz,
Are you talking about the K31 (up until recently, I owned four of them) I have one left.
Or are you talking about their predecessor? They are both straight pull bolt rifles.
If it's the K-31, odds are the stock may be a bit beat up, the one I have left is in good condition. Most of the rifles I've seen have bright shiny bores, 80-90% bluing. As are most things Swiss, they
are solid built, very accurate and fun to shoot. I see them on the C&R auction going for around $300.
Any other questions, feel free to email me!0 -
I'm not well schooled on the straight pull rifles, I guess I should have asked which model I should buy to use as a shooter with modern ammo. 0 -
grizzclaw,
Like campcook51 said the K-31 will have beat up stocks. They are definitely the better shooters and safer when it comes to heavier loads. I understand, (I'm only familiar with the K-31 not the predecessors) that it's the only one that fully supports the head of the case. Hot loads aren't safe in the older models ('96, 1906, 1911)
There is a forum specifically for these rifles called www.swissrifles.com They can give better details as to why. I will also say that while it's safer to shoot hot loads from the K-31, it isn't productive. Mid-weight bullets (165-190) pushed at moderate speeds are the most accurate. My best group out of my one remaining K-31 is .445" for a five shot group @ 100. Needless to say the Swiss also did a lot of thinking about the sights on these rifles. Much easier to shoot accurately than standard blade type sights.
EDIT:
quote:Originally posted by grizzclaw
Thanks for the replies, I'm not really interested in collecting, just shooting, so it really doesn't matter about cosmetics. I just want a problem free shooter that I can reload for. I'm heading to a show tomorrow to look for one.
Grizzclaw,
If I may suggest since you indicate you want to reload. You need to know something about the K-31. It was cut with a roomier chamber than previous Swiss cartridges. The nominal cartridge starts out at .457" wide at the shoulder. The K-31 is cut to .472" at the shoulder in the chamber. THAT .0015" IS A LOT OF BRASS TO TRY AND SCRUNCH DOWN. Yes, I said a few bad words before I figured out what was wrong. Anyhow I was reloading with Hornady dies. Very good dies but they are original size. Redding saw the problem and made a die right away that alleviated this problem. The die part # is 91235.
Initially when I started reloading for this I got the original specs by the Swiss who for some reason measured like 1.985" up the case and measured case diameter there instead of on the shoulder. Just another twist in the plot but it got figured out. Make sure you buy a die that is made for reloading K-31 not just Swiss 7.5x55.
-good luck with this.0 -
Thanks for the replies, I'm not really interested in collecting, just shooting, so it really doesn't matter about cosmetics. I just want a problem free shooter that I can reload for. I'm heading to a show tomorrow to look for one. 0 -
The earlier models of the 96/11 and 11 might theoretically be slightly weaker, but they AND the K-31 were all chambered for the GP11 cartridge. This load is totally safe in any of the above. The original 1889 model with the large protruding 12 round magazine however is weaker and designed for the earlier pattern GP90 ammo. It's the only one you should avoid for a daily shooter- though it itself is fine with mild handloads.
All things considered- sights, ergonomics, smoothness of action, I'd generally tend toward the K-31 myself.
Edited to reflect what Gary Wray said... it's no wive's tale. Under the buttplate you do indeed find the name of the soldier it was issued to on many examples. I have two such tags in my guns.0 -
A dinged muzzle crown on a K-31 would be my only worry. Their ammo was non-corrosive, stocks will look like a Reservist stood around with the butt of the rifle in snow. If you get one, lay in a supply of the milsurp ammo. It is great stuff, getting scarce. There is a no-gunsmith scope mount made for these- locks in on RIGHT side. Looks strange, works great. Mine shoots better than I can. Rifle was basically made to sit on a mountain, and shoot bad guys on the next mountain. 0 -
In 1912 Kaiser Wilhelm visited Switzerland. There were rumors of war in Europe at the time.
The Kaiser was talking to a Swiss general. He said, "I'm afraid it may come to where we have to invade your country. You wouldn't stand a chance! We would send in 5 divisions, we would outnumber you two to one!"
The Swiss general replied, "Then each of my men would have to shoot twice."0 -
Thanks for all the great info, it really helps when people that know what they are talking about reply. 0 -
grizzclaw......I am only familiar with the K31 and, like the other posts, very happy with shooting it. Like the Swedish mausers, the Swiss really never saw combat and were only beat up in the reservist role. Like my Swedes, I have never had a problem with my two K31's. One's stock is not so nice, the other was taken care of better. Both are tackdrivers. I don't reload and shoot commerical stuff so less than 2" at 100yds with my poor eyes is usual, again, every bit as accurate as my Swedish mausers. As you probably know, the Swiss issued rifles to about everyone as, like Israel, every male was expected to defend the country. I bought my two rifles years ago when they first hit the shores of the US and the story going around was that if you opened the cleaning kit area in the stock you might find a piece of paper with the Swiss reservists name on it. Must have been an "old wives tale" as I found nothing in my two K31's. Great rifles and you will enjoy shooting yours. Good luck in your search...I don't think you will be disappointed. 0 -
Darn, nothing at the gunshow. Now I'm getting antsy for a K31, I'll keep looking, thats part of the fun. 0 -
Usually the bit of paper w/ name and address was under the buttplate- So I know that Renee had my K-31 for many years. Go to surplusrifle.com for some very good info on the K-31, as well as a bunch of other milsurp rifles. A note on adjusting front sight for windage- you slide it front to back to move it side to side. Found a neat way to do that. Get a shaft collar with a set screw, collar big enuff to fit all the way around the front sight. Replace set screw with a longer screw. Drop collar over sight, turn screw until it pushes against the sight- will slide it neatly and evenly. collars available from any industrial supply company for a couple of $$. Got mine from McMaster-Carr. 0
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