Which should I get first?

madsmatt · 04-29-2008, 05:14 PM

I'm looking to buy my second Mil surp rifle (first is Mosin M44)and I'm hoplessly stuck. I cannot decide between the Swiss K31 and the German K98. Let me know what you guys think of both. I appreciate any information that can help me make up my mind. There are just to many guns I want.
Thanks
matt

gandog56 · 04-30-2008, 06:25 PM

Standard answer is of course..................GET BOTH!

Although I see AIM has an M95 Austro-Hungarian M95 "Stutzen" 8x56R Mannlicher Carbine on sale for 89.95

madsmatt · 04-30-2008, 07:57 PM

I appreciate you making my decision even harder gandog. Now I have three rifles to decide between. Thanks alot.

Capt'n Mil Coll · 04-30-2008, 09:43 PM

Hi Madsmatt. I saw the K31 on sale online for $199. Thats a pretty good price. The K98 would be better purchased in person. They can be in pretty bad condition. I looked around for a few months before buying my K98. A lot of them have shot out bores. So be sure to check that when looking. The K31's I saw seemed to be in very good shape.

On ammo. The K31 7.5 Swiss is not cheep but you can find a lot of it right now. The German K98 8x57 or 8mm Mauser ammo is easy to find and doesnt cost that much relatively speaking. Most will be corrosive though so you do have to use soapy water or windex or whatever you use to clean the corrosive salts out.

So Id buy the K31 and get as much ammo for it now that you can afford.
IMHO. Mil

just_a_car · 05-01-2008, 02:30 AM

Well, you got the right first one, but unfortunately, you'll find that there will be another mosin with it soon, even if you're sure you only bought another k98 or a k31. Mosinitis is a blessing and a curse my friend... be strong.

sean46953 · 05-01-2008, 03:51 AM

I put my vote on the K-31. Don't get me wrong, both of the two are fine choices, but seem to enjoy my K-31 more than my Mauser. The Swiss spent some good money for great quality, and that quality still shows in them today. They come with chrome lines bores that are almost always still mirror bright. The Swiss also never put corrosive ammo through them which benifts todays collecters when buying the because you almost can't go wrong with them. They also have a very smooth, strong action. Plus, the ejection of spent rounds is amazing, they really zing outta there! lol They offer great acurracy too. Just all around fun to shoot. The Mauser is a good choice too, but too me it's just a little too plain in operation. The ammo for the K-31 can be salty though, but it is very available currenlty. If I were you, I'd go play with the both of them at any store that had them, then decide. Who knows, I mean everyone's taste is diferent, I just like my Swiss a little more than my Mauser. Good luck, and let us know what you come home with!

SwedeSteve · 05-01-2008, 07:38 AM

Get the K-31! You won't be sorry! Also, I agree with picking a K98 that you've looked at personally. But then again, there's a Enfield No 1 Mk III in your future as well.

squirrelbaster · 05-01-2008, 10:20 AM

^ what he said!+1

big boomer · 05-01-2008, 10:38 AM

Get the one that they will be out of first, you may not find them again. I have both and like the swiss better but thats just me. Good k98's are getting hard to find and soon the k-31's will be too. get both before they are gone you will not be sorry.

Capt'n Mil Coll · 05-01-2008, 01:58 PM

I agree with Steve. Get your K31 then your K98 then look into a nice Enfield. You won't be sorry with anyone of them. Of course then you have to start buying more Mosins.

knightRider · 05-01-2008, 02:01 PM

k-31 all the way!

Paper · 05-01-2008, 05:31 PM

One more vote for a K-31... Sweet shooting rifle, neat weird factor at the range, too..

Get one and then start figuring out what a rifle like that would cost to make today.. It's a bargain at $200!!

And THEN get the K98...

ArkansasHunter · 05-01-2008, 05:34 PM

Get the K-31. The Mausers will be around a while still.

madsmatt · 05-01-2008, 05:35 PM

I've been looking at the K-31's from classic arms and they've been calling my name. I think I'm going to go that direction. I appreciate the suggestions guys.
matt

twisterx44 · 05-01-2008, 07:40 PM

Matt, do it. I just recieved my K31 walnut stock from classic arms on monday. The action and blueing were both very shiny, and the bore was in much better shape than I thought. The stock was roughed up, as expected, but I paid the 10.00 to get mine hand picked (it was recommended to me to do that, and I pass along that recommendation to you). I haven't shot it yet, but I've worked out some of the dents and scratches by draping a wet cloth over the stock (I removed all metal first, which was really quite simple) and then ironing it. The steam goes into the wood and raises some, but not all, of the dents. Then I sanded it lightly and started applying a finish, I used tru-oil. The difference is huge. it's a nice shiny dark color now, and still has the rugged "used" historic look that contributes to the K31's appeal. Hope this helped.

gandog56 · 05-01-2008, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madsmatt

I appreciate you making my decision even harder gandog. Now I have three rifles to decide between. Thanks alot.

Glad to help ya!

matt760 · 05-17-2008, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gandog56

Standard answer is of course..................GET BOTH!

Although I see AIM has an M95 Austro-Hungarian M95 "Stutzen" 8x56R Mannlicher Carbine on sale for 89.95

yeah i looked at those too. but i think the ammunition must be hard to get. if its just a collector that would be a good buy. but if your'e lookin for a shooter i'd go with the mauser.

Righteous · 05-17-2008, 08:40 AM

when I cant decide I buy the most expensive one first, If i have to save $$$ for a gun rather have to save the cheaper amount lol

acarpenter · 05-18-2008, 04:07 AM

twisterx, do you happen to have any before and/or after pics?
i already have a beech k31 that someone did an awesome refinish job on, but i would like to get a brunette (walnut) to go with it. maybe try my hand at making it pretty.

here is the beech. i dont have a name for her yet...

SwedeSteve · 05-18-2008, 05:41 AM

Heidi?

04-29-2008, 05:14 PM	#1
madsmatt Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Northwest Florida Posts: 8	Which should I get first? I'm looking to buy my second Mil surp rifle (first is Mosin M44)and I'm hoplessly stuck. I cannot decide between the Swiss K31 and the German K98. Let me know what you guys think of both. I appreciate any information that can help me make up my mind. There are just to many guns I want. Thanks matt

04-30-2008, 06:25 PM	#2
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 4,213	Standard answer is of course..................GET BOTH! Although I see AIM has an M95 Austro-Hungarian M95 "Stutzen" 8x56R Mannlicher Carbine on sale for 89.95 Last edited by gandog56; 04-30-2008 at 06:27 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

04-30-2008, 09:43 PM	#4
Capt'n Mil Coll Military Rifle Collector Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right behind you. -NRA Member- Posts: 2,268 Images: 10	Hi Madsmatt. I saw the K31 on sale online for $199. Thats a pretty good price. The K98 would be better purchased in person. They can be in pretty bad condition. I looked around for a few months before buying my K98. A lot of them have shot out bores. So be sure to check that when looking. The K31's I saw seemed to be in very good shape. On ammo. The K31 7.5 Swiss is not cheep but you can find a lot of it right now. The German K98 8x57 or 8mm Mauser ammo is easy to find and doesnt cost that much relatively speaking. Most will be corrosive though so you do have to use soapy water or windex or whatever you use to clean the corrosive salts out. So Id buy the K31 and get as much ammo for it now that you can afford. IMHO. Mil __________________ Let's light this fuse and see what happens! Last edited by Capt'n Mil Coll; 05-01-2008 at 12:18 AM.

05-01-2008, 02:30 AM	#5
just_a_car Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Edmonds, WA Posts: 3,515	Well, you got the right first one, but unfortunately, you'll find that there will be another mosin with it soon, even if you're sure you only bought another k98 or a k31. Mosinitis is a blessing and a curse my friend... be strong. __________________

05-01-2008, 03:51 AM	#6
sean46953 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Marion, Indiana Posts: 357	I put my vote on the K-31. Don't get me wrong, both of the two are fine choices, but seem to enjoy my K-31 more than my Mauser. The Swiss spent some good money for great quality, and that quality still shows in them today. They come with chrome lines bores that are almost always still mirror bright. The Swiss also never put corrosive ammo through them which benifts todays collecters when buying the because you almost can't go wrong with them. They also have a very smooth, strong action. Plus, the ejection of spent rounds is amazing, they really zing outta there! lol They offer great acurracy too. Just all around fun to shoot. The Mauser is a good choice too, but too me it's just a little too plain in operation. The ammo for the K-31 can be salty though, but it is very available currenlty. If I were you, I'd go play with the both of them at any store that had them, then decide. Who knows, I mean everyone's taste is diferent, I just like my Swiss a little more than my Mauser. Good luck, and let us know what you come home with! __________________ http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...00_0535100.jpgSean M. Hartman

04-30-2008, 07:57 PM	#3
madsmatt Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Northwest Florida Posts: 8	I appreciate you making my decision even harder gandog. Now I have three rifles to decide between. Thanks alot.

05-01-2008, 07:38 AM	#7
SwedeSteve Bullet Maintenance !! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The anchor point, Alaska Posts: 10,313 Images: 1	Get the K-31! You won't be sorry! Also, I agree with picking a K98 that you've looked at personally. But then again, there's a Enfield No 1 Mk III in your future as well. __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

05-01-2008, 10:20 AM	#8
squirrelbaster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,237	^ what he said!+1 __________________ "My Shotgun SAYS I AM the POLICE !"--Mooseman684 "I like Turtles!" youtube kid

05-01-2008, 10:38 AM	#9
big boomer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minn. Posts: 947	Get the one that they will be out of first, you may not find them again. I have both and like the swiss better but thats just me. Good k98's are getting hard to find and soon the k-31's will be too. get both before they are gone you will not be sorry.

05-01-2008, 01:58 PM	#10
Capt'n Mil Coll Military Rifle Collector Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right behind you. -NRA Member- Posts: 2,268 Images: 10	I agree with Steve. Get your K31 then your K98 then look into a nice Enfield. You won't be sorry with anyone of them. Of course then you have to start buying more Mosins. __________________ Let's light this fuse and see what happens!

05-01-2008, 02:01 PM	#11
knightRider Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: you know where Posts: 2,680 Images: 19 Blog Entries: 11	k-31 all the way! __________________ I'm part kalishnakov, part heckler and Koch.

05-01-2008, 05:31 PM	#12
Paper One Buwwit Weft Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: IL/WI Border Posts: 986	One more vote for a K-31... Sweet shooting rifle, neat weird factor at the range, too.. Get one and then start figuring out what a rifle like that would cost to make today.. It's a bargain at $200!! And THEN get the K98... __________________

05-01-2008, 05:34 PM	#13
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,684	Get the K-31. The Mausers will be around a while still.

05-01-2008, 05:35 PM	#14
madsmatt Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Northwest Florida Posts: 8	I've been looking at the K-31's from classic arms and they've been calling my name. I think I'm going to go that direction. I appreciate the suggestions guys. matt

05-01-2008, 07:40 PM	#15
twisterx44 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: (SW) Portland, OR Posts: 406	Matt, do it. I just recieved my K31 walnut stock from classic arms on monday. The action and blueing were both very shiny, and the bore was in much better shape than I thought. The stock was roughed up, as expected, but I paid the 10.00 to get mine hand picked (it was recommended to me to do that, and I pass along that recommendation to you). I haven't shot it yet, but I've worked out some of the dents and scratches by draping a wet cloth over the stock (I removed all metal first, which was really quite simple) and then ironing it. The steam goes into the wood and raises some, but not all, of the dents. Then I sanded it lightly and started applying a finish, I used tru-oil. The difference is huge. it's a nice shiny dark color now, and still has the rugged "used" historic look that contributes to the K31's appeal. Hope this helped.

05-17-2008, 08:40 AM	#18
Righteous Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 214	when I cant decide I buy the most expensive one first, If i have to save $$$ for a gun rather have to save the cheaper amount lol

05-18-2008, 04:07 AM	#19
acarpenter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 313	twisterx, do you happen to have any before and/or after pics? i already have a beech k31 that someone did an awesome refinish job on, but i would like to get a brunette (walnut) to go with it. maybe try my hand at making it pretty. here is the beech. i dont have a name for her yet...

05-18-2008, 05:41 AM	#20
SwedeSteve Bullet Maintenance !! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The anchor point, Alaska Posts: 10,313 Images: 1	Heidi? __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers