M31 Swiss Carbines

Stopped by a local (Owatonna, MN) Cabelas yesterday and noticed two racks of very nice K31 carbines with slings and muzzle caps for $699. A bit rich for my blood but looking on-line afterward noted that most places are sold out or much more expensive. Just wanted to pass along the availability.

I bought one when they were much cheaper, along with a couple of the 480 round ammo packs. Very accurate rifle, especially for an as-issued military gun.

I use to work with a man that served in the Swiss army, they gave him the K31 rifle he was issued when he was discharged. Since I had one, I made the remark that I thought they shot a bit high at the lowest sight setting. He said that was done on purpose, because the Rhine river between Switzerland and Germany was 300 yards wide....... Don't know if he was pulling my leg or not, but it made a good story.

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Originally Posted by Jeff Michel

I use to work with a man that served in the Swiss army, they gave him the K31 rifle he was issued when he was discharged. Since I had one, I made the remark that I thought they shot a bit high at the lowest sight setting. He said that was done on purpose, because the Rhine river between Switzerland and Germany was 300 yards wide....... Don't know if he was pulling my leg or not, but it made a good story.

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Jeff,

I served with a Swiss lad whose dad was issued a K31 and served in the Swiss Army in WWII. His dad said he was at HQTS one day when a German general showed up and chatted with the dad's commanding officer. The German said, "My command is double yours, what if we crossed the border today?" The Swiss officer said, "We would shoot twice!"

True or not, it still is a great story.

Adam

That's an old story, Adam. About the fourth version of it that I've seen in the past 40 years. The original version I heard was a Swiss diplomat talking to one of Hitler's generals - You have an army of a million, what if we invade with two million? We'd each have to shoot twice.

Wayne,

Thank you for the update. Either way, I think the Swiss had the right rifles. In 1961 I bought an M1889 rifle for $13.99 at the local gun shop; I was 16 years old. I could only afford two 6-round clips of Ball ammo for $1.00 each. I later acquired M1911 carbines and rifles and finally a M31.

I retired the M1889 and like my M1911 carbine for woods loafing in deer and bear season.

Be well.

Adam

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jeff Michel

I use to work with a man that served in the Swiss army, they gave him the K31 rifle he was issued when he was discharged. Since I had one, I made the remark that I thought they shot a bit high at the lowest sight setting. He said that was done on purpose, because the Rhine river between Switzerland and Germany was 300 yards wide....... Don't know if he was pulling my leg or not, but it made a good story.

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Interwebs says that a good possibility.
Goes in my books as true. :)