I have been bitten by the K31 bug unfortunately my new found interest in rifles and pistols is a few years late. One of the things that attracted me to the K31 was the cheap price, which is how I originally became interest in it since I was looking for cheap milsurps. Yesterday I finally got my Lyman 311466 bullets in that I ordered in Dec. so now I have everything to reload for the 7.5x55 Swiss I thought I better increase my effort to find a gun.
I am debating what route to take for buying a k31, do I post a WTB on this or other forums, gunbroker, or do I buy from one of the importers? With the importers do I buy unseen, do I pay extra for hand picked or for pictures? Do I want to get just a shooter or do I want a nice original example? Lastly one can't forget what price?
Well I think I have narrowed down my choices but wanted to get input from the forum, I am open to any suggestions.
This is what I am thinking I want, a very good+ condition original rifle walnut stocked with trooper tag instead of just a shooter.
Here are some of the places, not all, I have found that still have K31s.
Samcoglobal
Their site is down but if I remember their price was $325 in VG with a cracked stock and no individual pictures.
Simpson http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...ducts_id=31152 (Sold)
$350 for a good-very good gun with a cracked stock
They have no cheap K31s in right now.
Collectors Firearms http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/sw...-swiss-r18845/
$450 for good wood, excellent with arsenal repairs
http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/sw...-swiss-r19287/
$480 for very good condition
Gunbroker
Prices on GB ranged from $375 to over $500.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=540873196
Lots of pictures and looks exactly what I want for $400 but the auction still has over 5 days left and already has one bidder.
Best of the four $375 rifles. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=540227595
Worst of the $375 rifles. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=540226144
Colorado Gun Sales http://www.cogunsales.com/product/sw...bin-k31-rifle/
This is what I am leaning towards rifles in good to really good or good to excellent condition. Prices range from $405 (regular) to $450 (hand picked) to $495 (custom picked). With the hand and custom picked all their stock of rifles are checked and you get to provide three preferences but with the custom picked you are sent pictures of three rifles they pick.
I really wish I had had an interest in milsurp rifles back when prices where cheaper for good quality K31s and GP11 was available for .50 cents a round. If anyone has an idea on where I could find other K31s for sale or could advise me on what a good price would be that would be helpful. Though any comments or suggestions are appreciated.