New K31 at Gun Show Today!

Iron_Colonel · 03-23-2009, 01:49 AM

Well I came across a K31 today at the gun show. It was posted for $135. I asked him if there was something wrong with it and he just said it had some rust on it. I asked if he could move on the price, and he kinda thought about it for a sec, and I threw $125 to him, and he said ok. The rust I could see I was hoping was the worst of it. There was caked on rust right under the front of the hand guard. There is some rust on the muzzle, front sight, and a little in the bevel of the crown. But the bore is just beautiful. Shot it today, and it shot pretty good. About a 4 inch group at 100 yds. It can do better, but I was rushing it.

So the next questions is, do I reblue the whole thing, or just what needs it. I am thinking the front sight and the barrel for sure. The rest of the rifle looks pretty good as far as bluing. Also the butt plate will need to be reblued for sure. Its a little rusty and lightly pitted. The stock has some dents in it, and a little wear at the butt stock. I was thinking about refinishing that. There is also a troop tag. The writing is there, but I can't really make it out. I can post that in the other thread. What do you guys think about rebluing it and refinishing the stock?

After some work, I reblued the forward 8 inches of the barrel, and the barrel bands. Pic included. It blended quite well.

White Death · 03-23-2009, 10:18 AM

I agree with rebluing the rusty barrel, but the stock looks pretty good, so I would leave the stock as is. I don't like refinishing the stock, because I feel that I am destroying some of the history, there's a story to every scratch and dent. Just my opinion.

bobvonb · 03-23-2009, 04:40 PM

nah, way too much rust. You need to sell it to me NOW! but I can't go over $200.

Iron_Colonel · 03-23-2009, 10:25 PM

+1 White. I was really looking it over, and I think I pretty much decided I wanted to leave the stock as it is. I like the dark color on it too. Lots of dents too, no really deep gouges that I can see. But where the break in the hand guard is, there is a mystery substance whether its some kind of oil or diesel I don't know. But it stays on like that. I might try to JB weld or epoxy a thin piece of metal on the underside of it to keep it in one piece. Any thoughts or ideas on fixing the handguard?

jmeck · 03-24-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron_Colonel

+1 White. I was really looking it over, and I think I pretty much decided I wanted to leave the stock as it is. I like the dark color on it too. Lots of dents too, no really deep gouges that I can see. But where the break in the hand guard is, there is a mystery substance whether its some kind of oil or diesel I don't know. But it stays on like that. I might try to JB weld or epoxy a thin piece of metal on the underside of it to keep it in one piece. Any thoughts or ideas on fixing the handguard?

Can you post a pic of the crack in the handguard? If the crack is spread-open, I would use gorilla glue and clamp or tape it shut for 24 hours. I've done this to repair several cracks and had very good results.
I bought a k31 with pits under the stick like yours, I reblued mine with oxpho cold bluing and it turned out good. Good deal for $135 ,Iwould have bought it too

Iron_Colonel · 03-24-2009, 08:20 PM

Even better for $125 that I paid for it

Looks like I forgot to mention that in my first post. I was so excited to post everything about it I forgot to mention that. So I'll edit that in. The crack is right under the rear barrel band, and it is in two pieces. They are held in place by the barrel band. I'll get more pics up. I ought to have it all reblued here in a bit, so I'll post more pics then. I just need to reblue the barrel bands. And I only reblued the last 8 or so inches of the barrel.

swissrifles1 · 03-30-2009, 09:13 PM

Nice carbine for the price. I do have a spare handguard for sale, if your interested?.

RGRWJB · 05-11-2009, 12:23 AM

A lot of the last batch of Swiss K-31s that Century brought in had rust on them, but are still good shooters.

Big Dog · 05-11-2009, 08:21 AM

Rather than a full 'refinish' job, I usually like to 'freshen' an old milsurp stock, and give it protection from the elements. I disassemble the rifle, then thoroughly clean the stock with a good mild detergent. Let dry completely, maybe go over with fine steelwool to knock off any 'whiskers' raised by the washing, then give it a couple coats of Tung Oil Finish - this will retain the character but protect the dinged wood from absorbing moisture. It'll bring the stock's color back too - some of these old warhorses have marvelous wood!

GlockMeister · 05-11-2009, 08:32 AM

Iron, I think you're going to have to reblue it. Because if you don't, or at least don't do something, it's only going to get worse.

You're going to have to remove the rust no matter what you do and rebluing it is the best method I think anyhow?

Good luck.

Iron_Colonel · 05-12-2009, 12:36 AM

Well it has been made so already! The next to last pic and the last pics are the before and after. I wire wheeled that rusty spot for hours. Used some sandpaper, more wire wheeling and used the chemicals in the Birchwood Casey reblue kit too. And I have a light coat of oil on it so it ought to be good to go! Its a good shooter.

SwedeSteve · 05-12-2009, 01:17 AM

Congrats on saving another fine rifle !!

Iron_Colonel · 05-12-2009, 01:21 AM

I was very shocked to find that amount of rust under the front of the handguard there. And was quite surprised to find a cracked in half handguard. It seems to be holding up quite well. It is weird it looks like some kind of oil or something got on it, and weakened the wood? Thats what it seems like anyways. But it is holding in there. I ought to take it shooting sometime, gotta make sure the front sight is spot on after removing it for the bluing.

Big Dog · 05-12-2009, 08:38 AM

I had a cracked handguard on a rifle - used some expanding polyurethane glue in it with good results. It must be well clamped though, or the glue will spread the wood as it expands. If there is oil in the joint, that may cause a problem with adhesion too.

03-23-2009, 01:49 AM	#1
Iron_Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington St. Posts: 3,281	New K31 at Gun Show Today! Well I came across a K31 today at the gun show. It was posted for $135. I asked him if there was something wrong with it and he just said it had some rust on it. I asked if he could move on the price, and he kinda thought about it for a sec, and I threw $125 to him, and he said ok. The rust I could see I was hoping was the worst of it. There was caked on rust right under the front of the hand guard. There is some rust on the muzzle, front sight, and a little in the bevel of the crown. But the bore is just beautiful. Shot it today, and it shot pretty good. About a 4 inch group at 100 yds. It can do better, but I was rushing it. So the next questions is, do I reblue the whole thing, or just what needs it. I am thinking the front sight and the barrel for sure. The rest of the rifle looks pretty good as far as bluing. Also the butt plate will need to be reblued for sure. Its a little rusty and lightly pitted. The stock has some dents in it, and a little wear at the butt stock. I was thinking about refinishing that. There is also a troop tag. The writing is there, but I can't really make it out. I can post that in the other thread. What do you guys think about rebluing it and refinishing the stock? After some work, I reblued the forward 8 inches of the barrel, and the barrel bands. Pic included. It blended quite well. __________________ Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU! Last edited by Iron_Colonel; 03-25-2009 at 12:12 AM.

03-23-2009, 10:18 AM	#2
White Death Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 108	I agree with rebluing the rusty barrel, but the stock looks pretty good, so I would leave the stock as is. I don't like refinishing the stock, because I feel that I am destroying some of the history, there's a story to every scratch and dent. Just my opinion. __________________ If my old guns could talk, I sure hope they can speak English.

03-23-2009, 04:40 PM	#3
bobvonb Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Apple Valley, CA Posts: 267	unload it now! nah, way too much rust. You need to sell it to me NOW! but I can't go over $200.

03-23-2009, 10:25 PM	#4
Iron_Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington St. Posts: 3,281	+1 White. I was really looking it over, and I think I pretty much decided I wanted to leave the stock as it is. I like the dark color on it too. Lots of dents too, no really deep gouges that I can see. But where the break in the hand guard is, there is a mystery substance whether its some kind of oil or diesel I don't know. But it stays on like that. I might try to JB weld or epoxy a thin piece of metal on the underside of it to keep it in one piece. Any thoughts or ideas on fixing the handguard? __________________ Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU!

03-24-2009, 08:20 PM	#6
Iron_Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington St. Posts: 3,281	Even better for $125 that I paid for it Looks like I forgot to mention that in my first post. I was so excited to post everything about it I forgot to mention that. So I'll edit that in. The crack is right under the rear barrel band, and it is in two pieces. They are held in place by the barrel band. I'll get more pics up. I ought to have it all reblued here in a bit, so I'll post more pics then. I just need to reblue the barrel bands. And I only reblued the last 8 or so inches of the barrel. __________________ Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU!

03-30-2009, 09:13 PM	#7
swissrifles1 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 53	Nice carbine for the price. I do have a spare handguard for sale, if your interested?.

05-11-2009, 12:23 AM	#8
RGRWJB Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Puyallup, Washington Posts: 12	A lot of the last batch of Swiss K-31s that Century brought in had rust on them, but are still good shooters.

05-11-2009, 08:21 AM	#9
Big Dog Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 12,906	Rather than a full 'refinish' job, I usually like to 'freshen' an old milsurp stock, and give it protection from the elements. I disassemble the rifle, then thoroughly clean the stock with a good mild detergent. Let dry completely, maybe go over with fine steelwool to knock off any 'whiskers' raised by the washing, then give it a couple coats of Tung Oil Finish - this will retain the character but protect the dinged wood from absorbing moisture. It'll bring the stock's color back too - some of these old warhorses have marvelous wood! __________________ "A bold spirit embiggens the smallest man!" Jebediah Springfield

05-11-2009, 08:32 AM	#10
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 9,676	Iron, I think you're going to have to reblue it. Because if you don't, or at least don't do something, it's only going to get worse. You're going to have to remove the rust no matter what you do and rebluing it is the best method I think anyhow? Good luck. __________________ "The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion." "Edmond Burke"

05-12-2009, 12:36 AM	#11
Iron_Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington St. Posts: 3,281	Well it has been made so already! The next to last pic and the last pics are the before and after. I wire wheeled that rusty spot for hours. Used some sandpaper, more wire wheeling and used the chemicals in the Birchwood Casey reblue kit too. And I have a light coat of oil on it so it ought to be good to go! Its a good shooter. __________________ Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU!

05-12-2009, 01:17 AM	#12
SwedeSteve Suspected Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Anchortown, Alaska Posts: 23,549 Images: 1	Congrats on saving another fine rifle !! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

05-12-2009, 01:21 AM	#13
Iron_Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington St. Posts: 3,281	I was very shocked to find that amount of rust under the front of the handguard there. And was quite surprised to find a cracked in half handguard. It seems to be holding up quite well. It is weird it looks like some kind of oil or something got on it, and weakened the wood? Thats what it seems like anyways. But it is holding in there. I ought to take it shooting sometime, gotta make sure the front sight is spot on after removing it for the bluing. __________________ Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU!

05-12-2009, 08:38 AM	#14
Big Dog Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 12,906	I had a cracked handguard on a rifle - used some expanding polyurethane glue in it with good results. It must be well clamped though, or the glue will spread the wood as it expands. If there is oil in the joint, that may cause a problem with adhesion too. __________________ "A bold spirit embiggens the smallest man!" Jebediah Springfield