Schmidt-Rubin K31 - Impressive

[TMan]

I finally got to shoot the K31 today. I loaded two (brain-fart, it just looks like a semi-auto). I then took aim, pulled my head out of the way, just in case the bolt came flying backward, and pulled the trigger. Ouch. It approaches the 30-06 in recoil.

Pulled the trigger again, and then it dawned on me that this was not a semi-auto. I then loaded 3 more, and proceeded to shoot the next 4 rounds. I then looked through the spotting-scope, and saw all 4 holes were touching. Was someone else shooting for me? I couldn't believe it. After 30 rounds, I couldn't believe the accuracy, nor could I believe how sore my shoulder was. Enough of that.

After leaving the range I went back to Military Gun Supply to pick up more 7.5mm ammo. (It is $29.95 for 60 rounds when they have it). There was a middle-age man there looking at the guns (they are mounted on the wall). I started extolling the features of the K31. He was impressed that my socks were gone.

No one at the range wanted to shoot it, but they dry-fired it, and everyone was extremely impressed with the trigger. I guess the best way to describe it is to say that it feels like you are pulling on a two-stage trigger, but then there is no second stage - it just goes bang.

I'm thinking of getting one of those slip-on recoil pads to see if it helps with the recoil.

The Swiss know how to make something besides watches. Wish they made more guns. Come to think of it, isn't the P210 made in Switzerland?

So, the bottom line is this: want to have some fun with a rifle with open sights that is a real tack-driver for just a little bit of money? Get a K31.

[TA]

I have heard many say it is the most accurate iron sight rifle out there.

[TMan]

I believe it TA. I let one of my shooting partners put 10 rounds through it on Tuesday. It was only 25 yards, but nearly all the holes were touching. As I recall, the two that weren't touching were touching each other.

I bought a friend's M1 Garand this week. The stock was redone with Tung Oil, and the whole gun is beautiful. It came with a bunch of other stuff and ammo. As authentic as it is, I'm still going to have to change the butt plate. A 30-06 with a metal butt plate is too much for my little shoulder. I don't expect it to be as accurate as the K31.

I'm still undecided about what, if anything, to do about the stock on the K31. I left the stocks on the new SKS 59 (not the 59/66) and the Mauser out in a bag in the sun along with kitty-litter for a week, turning it daily. I then washed it off with Castrol's cleaner, and washed that off. I repeated it 3 times, and wiping it down with white paper towels. I was still getting stuff off them, but had to quit and go to get my haircut. I guess I should keep repeating spraying the stuff on, letting it soak, rinsing it off, wiping down with paper towels, and letting it dry in the sun until I don't get anymore yellow on the paper towels?

The Mauser is an 8 mm, and I'm wondering what kind of a kick it is going to have.

[TA]

TMan,

You can end up cleaning those things forever. The yellow you are getting may just be the patina or coloring in the wood leaching out. That is fine, you just want to get the dirt/grease out. The chemicals are not good for the wood, so the least amount of exposure is the best. Make sure the wood is dried well and be careful with it. It is vulnerable after it has been water/cleaner soaked. Once dry you can lighly sand it if needed and finally, many coats of hand rubbed Tung oil or BLO.

The M1 and the Mauser will hold their own pretty well in the accuracy department. The K31 will shoot the wings off a mosquito though. I find the recoil to be similar in those rifles. The M1 handles pretty well because of its weight. The Mausers punch pretty hard. You may want to look into a shoulder pad.

By the way, learn the correct way to load the clip in the M1. If you got a CMP manual with it, that explains it. If you have never heard of "M1 THUMB", you don't want to find out about it the hard way. Most accidents happen while looking over the rifle but it can also happen while loading a clip. The action slams home on the unsuspecting thumb. Forunately, nobody has ever died from it, but it aint pretty. I've seen some pictures...