K-31 Cleaning

Mosin-Marauder · June 30, 2014, 10:18 PM

I'm looking to purchase an original K-31 cleaning kit (found one for $20). And I was wondering, how did the Swiss grease their rifles? I know they used Waffenfett, which isn't available to me. Would RIG work? I read that any yellowish gun grease would work. How did they apply it to the rifle and stock and bolt? How would I go about doing it and removing it before I shoot? Would using an a original cleaning kit not be recommend? It's a pull through cord with a bore mirror and a chamber jag. Any input would be helpful, thank you.

tahunua001 · June 30, 2014, 10:56 PM

personally I would get a new cleaning rod mad of graphite, a brass cleaning brush and if at all possible(they are hard to find) a brass jag. I would clean with CLP(cleaner, lubricant, and protectant). it's not what the swiss used but it's simple, easy, and idiot proof(no offense intended).

Slamfire · June 30, 2014, 11:05 PM

The most knowledgeable folks on the Swiss rifles are to be found at Swiss Rifles.com.

Go through the FAQ section and click on the links you find interesting.

FAQ: http://theswissriflesdotcommessagebo...before-posting

Some posts on K31 cleaning:
http://theswissriflesdotcommessagebo...08#reply-81242
http://theswissriflesdotcommessagebo...08#reply-81264

Something I did not know till I conducted this search, was that the Swiss greased everything, you will see statements not to use oil. I am surprised about that, I only greased the back of the lugs and the extraction cam slot. I clean my K31’s with a one piece cleaning rod and I do it from the breech. I bought several of the cleaning kits, mainly to play with them, I have not used them. For one thing, the threads at the end of the cleaning rods are metric. The grease containers are fun.

Based on posts, I think a lot of American cleaning rituals are advertizing induced behavior.

zfk55 · July 1, 2014, 08:17 AM

Much all of what you need to know about Swiss rifles was composed by my Son and is posted here on this Sticky. http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=528460

There's an entire section on grease whys and wherfores on Post #6.
His home board is the SRDC.

g.willikers · July 1, 2014, 08:40 AM

Wouldn't it depend on where one lives as to what lube is used?
Don't forget about the weather conditions in Swiss land and what lubes were around, back in the day when the K-31 was the issued rifle.

June 30, 2014, 10:18 PM	#1
Mosin-Marauder Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2014 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,320	K-31 Cleaning I'm looking to purchase an original K-31 cleaning kit (found one for $20). And I was wondering, how did the Swiss grease their rifles? I know they used Waffenfett, which isn't available to me. Would RIG work? I read that any yellowish gun grease would work. How did they apply it to the rifle and stock and bolt? How would I go about doing it and removing it before I shoot? Would using an a original cleaning kit not be recommend? It's a pull through cord with a bore mirror and a chamber jag. Any input would be helpful, thank you. __________________ Proud owner of three (four-ish) pieces of history! K-31, Mosin-Nagant M91/30, M24/47 Mauser, Norinco SKS. "You might as well appeal against a thunderstorm..." William Tecumseh Sherman

June 30, 2014, 10:56 PM	#2
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	personally I would get a new cleaning rod mad of graphite, a brass cleaning brush and if at all possible(they are hard to find) a brass jag. I would clean with CLP(cleaner, lubricant, and protectant). it's not what the swiss used but it's simple, easy, and idiot proof(no offense intended). __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

June 30, 2014, 11:05 PM	#3
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	The most knowledgeable folks on the Swiss rifles are to be found at Swiss Rifles.com. Go through the FAQ section and click on the links you find interesting. FAQ: http://theswissriflesdotcommessagebo...before-posting Some posts on K31 cleaning: http://theswissriflesdotcommessagebo...08#reply-81242 http://theswissriflesdotcommessagebo...08#reply-81264 Something I did not know till I conducted this search, was that the Swiss greased everything, you will see statements not to use oil. I am surprised about that, I only greased the back of the lugs and the extraction cam slot. I clean my K31’s with a one piece cleaning rod and I do it from the breech. I bought several of the cleaning kits, mainly to play with them, I have not used them. For one thing, the threads at the end of the cleaning rods are metric. The grease containers are fun. Based on posts, I think a lot of American cleaning rituals are advertizing induced behavior. __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

July 1, 2014, 08:17 AM	#4
zfk55 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2009 Location: Lost Prairie Montana Posts: 391	Much all of what you need to know about Swiss rifles was composed by my Son and is posted here on this Sticky. http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=528460 There's an entire section on grease whys and wherfores on Post #6. His home board is the SRDC. __________________ www.swissproductsllc.com An'' ole' Brer' Rabbit, he set in de bushes, he watch an' he wait, lay low an' he don' say nuffin'

July 1, 2014, 08:40 AM	#5
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Wouldn't it depend on where one lives as to what lube is used? Don't forget about the weather conditions in Swiss land and what lubes were around, back in the day when the K-31 was the issued rifle. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”