The Swiss K31
Table of Contents
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to cover the Swiss K31 rifle today. The K31 is an iconic service rifle which is popular with milsurp enthusiasts and firearms collectors of all types. Our goal with this blog post is to provide a brief overview of the rifle while delving into various features, traits, and more. Without further ado, let’s talk about the Swiss K31.
What is the Swiss K31?
The Swiss K31 is a straight pull bolt action rifle that served as the standard issue service rifle of the Swiss military from 1933 to 1958. Even after its time as a mainline service rifle ended, the K31 would still see use in limited roles. The rifle was well-known for its accuracy and unique straight pull bolt action mechanism which expanded on previous Swiss designs.
These rifles were made to exacting and tight tolerances. The tight tolerances of these rifles paired with the fact they weren’t produced in wartime conditions is truly evident in the overall quality of these rifles. It is not hyperbolic to say that these rifles are like Swiss watches. The straight pull bolt action of these rifles is incredibly smooth, especially when compared to some of the wartime production models of other European service rifles. Working the bolt on a K31 feels akin to ball bearings, especially when paired with appropriate lubrication. Additionally, these tight tolerances and four groove rifling of the bore contribute to the accurate nature of these rifles.
The rifle features a detachable six round magazine which is serial number matched to the rifle. This magazine held six rounds of 7.5x55mm Swiss, a military cartridge which is comparable to the
.308 Winchester/
7.62x51mm NATO. Unlike modern doctrines regarding detachable magazines, the K31 was not intended to be loaded by replacing empty magazines. Like many service rifles of the time, the rifle was intended to be loaded round-by-round or with stripper clips. Doctrine and beliefs at the time believed that soldiers would lose detachable magazines and that they should only be removed to service a rifle.
Often referred to as a “Schmidt-Rubin” type rifle, the K31 was actually not designed by Colonel Rudolf Schmidt nor Eduard Rubin. The K31’s similarities to Schmidt-Rubin type rifles lie in the straight pull bolt mechanism and the fact the carbine uses 7.5x55mm Swiss
ammunition.
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Who Made the K31?
K31 rifles were produced by Waffenfabrik Bern, the same weapons factory which oversaw the design of the rifle. Unlike many other military service rifles, manufacture of these rifles exclusively took place at Waffenfabrik Bern. By contrast, many of the major powers during both World Wars utilized service rifles which were produced by a number of factories. For example, M1903 rifles were produced by Springfield Armory, Remington, Singer, and Rock Island Armory. Each and every one of the 528,230 K31 rifles in existence were manufactured in the same facility.
Typically Found in Good Condition
As opposed to many other milsurp rifles, K31 rifles are generally found to be in good condition. Swiss neutrality during World War Two is one of the major reasons that K31s tend to be in better shape than some of their peers. To put it plainly, K31 rifles weren’t dragged through war torn Europe, meaning that they simply weren’t subjected to the same abuse as other mainline service rifles.
The Swiss military, however, trained extensively during the wartime period. This was done in order to maintain a level of readiness in the event they had to defend their country. The K31 rifles were utilized in many Alpine training sessions and were often subjected to elements such as snow and ice. Many K31 stocks may seem as if a beaver chewed on the stock of the rifle, especially towards the rear. This is mainly due to the fact that Swiss soldiers would often give rifles a bit of a kick when removing them from snow when they were stacked during an exercise. The Swiss use of snowshoes explain the presence of these chatter marks.
The Swiss also did not utilize corrosive primers in the GP11 loadings used with the K31. This means that the bores of K31 rifles are generally going to be in great shape with minimal erosion. In addition to marksmanship, the Swiss military also emphasized the importance of caring for equipment. This means that K31 rifles were cared for religiously by those who carried them. The absence of wartime conditions means that soldiers did not have to forgo weapons care to focus on survival.
Unique Bolt Action
The K31 sets itself apart from other bolt action rifles as it features a straight pull bolt action mechanism. Traditional bolt action designs feature a handle one must lift and pull rearwards to pull back the bolt. The K31 features a distinct bolt handle on the side which is meant to be gripped and pulled rearwards. The bolt handle is often referred to as a ”beer keg” by collectors and enthusiasts due to its shape and look.
The bolt is a familiar cock-on-open design like many contemporary designs of the time. Like other military bolt action rifles of the time, the K31 will “lock back” on an empty magazine. This is due to the follower interfacing with the bolt and preventing it from closing on an empty chamber. This feature is a handy way for the shooter to know they are out of
ammunition.
The rear of the bolt features a distinct ring which is part of the safety mechanism of the rifle. The ring can be pulled rearward to expose the lug on the safety which interfaces into the slots on the back of the bolt. By rotating this ring, the safety can be activated or deactivated. There is even a setting which allows the bolt to be cycled while preventing function of the trigger.
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Can You Still Get 7.5x55mm Swiss Ammunition?
7.5x55mm Swiss
ammo is certainly one of the more obscure types of
ammunition on the market today. The cartridge is still supported by a number of companies such as
PPU,
Sellier & Bellot, and
Wolf to name a few. Additionally, one can look for surplus GP11 loadings which are still available on the market to this day. One can also shop for
ammo online to browse inventories beyond local shelves. Sometimes,
purchasing ammunition online is one of the only ways to find some of the more obscure military surplus calibers. Of course, one could always load their own 7.5x55mm Swiss
ammo. All in all, one can find 7.5x55mm Swiss
ammunition if they set their mind to it. It may not be as prevalent as other calibers, but it is certainly out there.
Conclusion
All in all, the Swiss K31 is a well-known and regarded military surplus firearm. Often regarded as one of the most accurate service rifles in history, the rifle continues to be adored by collectors and enthusiasts.
Ammunition for these types of rifles tend to be rare, but we here at True Shot tend are always acquiring new types of
ammo for sale. As always, happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options.
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