The Swiss K31 rifle, formally the Schmidt-Rubin Karabiner Modell 1931, was the primary firearm for the Swiss Armed Forces for numerous decades. Renowned for its exceptional precision, top-notch quality and unwavering reliability, it was one of the finest rifles of its era. Following its retirement in the 1950s, it transitioned into a prized item within rifle collections worldwide. Among its many charms lies a unique quirk, a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by the fortunate few.
Technical specifications of the K31
The K31 is a straight-pull, magazine-fed, bolt-action rifle. The bolt handle is pulled directly back to unlock the action and eject the spent cartridge case in one smooth, swift motion. It then pushes the handle forward to insert a new cartridge, and rather than being manually turned and pulled back, the karabiner cocks the striker and locks the action.
The K31 uses 7.5 x 55 mm Swiss GP 11 rounds, and the magazine is held in place with a spring latch attached to a trigger guard. It’s easily detached and extends about an inch below the rifle, but is rounded as to prevent any snagging or discomfort.
One noted flaw of the K31 is that engaging and disengaging the safety is awkward for those who are right-handed, which makes up the majority of users. The ring, which is large enough for a gloved hand, requires 16 pounds of effort to draw. It then has to be turned 45 degrees to the right to apply, after which the user has to reach over to manipulate it.
A necessary upgrade from its predecessor
Prior to the introduction of the K31 rifle, the Swiss Armed Forces relied on various straight-pull, bolt-action rifles, including the Model 1911. As time progressed, it became evident that these were cumbersome and unwieldy for practical field use, due to their excessive length and weight. This led the Swiss military to initiate a rifle overhaul in 1932.
The redesign incorporated a shorter receiver, facilitating the placement of the rear sight closer to the shooter’s eye. Additionally, it halved the time required for the firing pin to strike the cartridge upon pulling the trigger. Officially adopted the following year, the revamped firearm served as the nation’s standard-issue rifle for a quarter of a century.
With over 528,000 units issued to Swiss soldiers, it garnered acclaim for its exceptional accuracy. However, despite its better quality, the K31 never experienced combat deployment during its production run.
The K31 was at the ready during WWII
Switzerland is well-known for keeping neutrality in times of conflict and has maintained peace with its neighbors for decades. However, during the height of the Second World War, the country was effectively surrounded. Like a sitting duck, Switzerland was essentially fenced off by German-occupied Europe and Fascist Italy.
While the Allied powers eventually defeated the enemy and the war came to a close, Switzerland needed to be prepared for anything, should its neutrality be compromised. As a result, officials equipped the country’s citizenry with one of the best battle rifles of the time: the K31.
The Swiss-manufactured rifle sports a unique feature
One of the most unique features of the K31 is of a more personal quality. As Switzerland mandates military service for young men, and so many of the rifles were issued, each features a note stating when it was first issued and to whom.
On the day a K31 was issued, the soldier’s name, his place of birth and the location where the rifle was issued were recorded on a piece of paper and placed under the buttstock cap. Today, one can still find the names of the soldiers the rifles once belonged to if they remove this steel cap.
Additionally, once their year of mandatory service was complete, soldiers had the option to purchase their K31s and bring them home. After only one year of use, many have remained in excellent shape over the decades.
The K31 is popular among collectors
After 25 years of production, the K31 was finally replaced, when the Swiss government introduced the SIG SG 510 battle rifle. Since its replacement, the firearm has become popular with collectors. Its accuracy and precision make it a fun rifle to use at shooting ranges, and the majority of K31s have been kept in fantastic condition, making them an ideal addition to any collection.
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With hundreds of thousands of these rifles produced, many have crossed the Atlantic to join the American rifle market at a relatively reasonable price. As well, K31s that still have the papers within their buttstocks are considered incredibly valuable, making collecting the rifle all the more enjoyable.