Swiss k31 & ZFK55

amao164 · Feb 2, 2013

I recently watched a few videos about K31 and found it is a well-made and good looking rifle. A few days later, I had an urge to see those videos again and wanted to know more about this rifle. Before I knew it, the thought of buying one emerged. Then I spent days debating with myself whether I "need" it or "want" it. You know how that goes...

Since not many K31s are available from various gun vendors recently, I take it easy to look around and allow the thought to have time to "distill" for a while. Then I saw ZFK55 (not cheap) and it is even more attractive

. Now what? Should I get both?

If any of you guys out there have either one of these rifles, can you provide your thoughts and experiences? Do you have any regrets? Is it worth the money?

Rix · Feb 2, 2013

I have a k31. It's rediculously accurate with irons (and bubblegumty eyesight) and surplus Swiss gp11 ammo. Nice trigger, super smooth to shoot.
I kinda want another to stick a scope on.
Well worth the 270 or whatever I paid.

OREGON FALER · Feb 2, 2013

The K31's are excellent rifles. Very accurate, ammo can be hard to come by right now.

Sgt Nambu · Feb 2, 2013

My neighbor shoots a pair of K-31's in military rifle events and always does very well! The rifles are very well made and the fit and finish of the metal parts is top notch. He loves them! Don't know about ammo, he bought a lot over the years and rolls his own. If you enjoy military rifles of that era I don't see how you could go very wrong with a K-31.

amao164 · Feb 3, 2013

I like what I'm hearing

Thanks for your feedback!.

dmancornell · Feb 4, 2013

I topped my K31 with a Leupold VX2. This rifle deserves better than open sights.

When I bought it the bore was filthy, once I scrubbed it with JB it is solid MOA shooter with GP11.

Last time I checked a ZFK55 cost a couple grand or more, if you can afford it more power to you.

coosbaycreep · Feb 4, 2013

I haven't shot a K31 yet, but there suppose to be one of (if not the most) accurate milsurp.

There's a member here that has a ZFK55. If he sees this thread I'm sure he'll post a pic.

raindog · Feb 4, 2013

Love my K-31. The ammo is hard to find locally but available online. I got three boxes of Prvi (boxer-primed brass) and have reloaded for it.

You might want to look at swissrifles.com - lots of good info.

As for acquiring one...I'd get a C&R license ($30 for three years) and then you can have all sorts of fun rifles delivered to your home

amao164 · Feb 4, 2013

dmancornell - I am sure that scope makes your K31 look a lot cooler. I want a ZFK55 but a few grand is simply out of my reach :-(

raindog - thanks for the leads. I checked all of them but nothing is available (at least within US) at this point. I'll keep looking...

Will_Power · Feb 5, 2013

Tell you what, of all the surplus rifles out there, the K-31 is the one I want to get my grubby paws on.

CZ Fan · Feb 6, 2013

I kick myself that I haven't picked one up yet.

madcratebuilder · Feb 8, 2013

The ZFK's have a slight edge with accuracy. The ZFK's biggest advantage is it is easier to shoot. With it's canted receiver the scope is true vertical unlike the K31 with a scope mount that is offset so it ejects OK. The ZFK has a larger and heavier stock, very effective comp. The bi-pod takes some getting used to.

ZFK has the mount integral with the receiver and the rings are integral with the scope body.

The ZFK should have a spare parts bag and the scope box.

You can get very close to the ZFK with a K31 and a few hundred bucks of Swiss Products parts. Mount, pad adapter and brake.

dmancornell · Feb 8, 2013

If you absolutely have to have a scope above the bore line on a K31 you can go with this:

Rock Solid Industries | Swiss K-31 Scope Mount

I have one and the scope mount is solid. Ejection is still a bit iffy because I mounted a scope on low rings and the ejection deflector needs more room to work with.

mancat · Feb 12, 2013

even a normal K31 is above and beyond most other milsurp.

it seems to want to shoot dead on without even trying. the trigger is ridiculously smooth.

Gp11 was very cheap online just a couple years ago. Sorry to hear that it's not any longer. Used to be able to buy 10-rd boxes for about $3 - from a quick Google search, it looks like it's still available in a few places, but prices doubled.

Prvi Partisan is available online and in most well-stocked stores. I've been able to find it readily in FMJ and SP in Cabela's, believe it or not. Prvi Swiss 7.5 cartridges are very high quality, and the Prvi brass is reloadable.

7.5 Swiss is easy to reload and uses standard .308 bullets.