Where are all the K-31's coming from again?

tobnpr · April 19, 2014, 10:19 PM

I thought the Swiss has sold off the last from their arsenals years ago, and the spotty offerings seen were from private collections.

In the past few weeks, at least three of the major online C&R retailers/wholesalers have them for sale again. I'm really tempted to buy a third one- still an amazing value.

Did they uncover an unknown/forgotten cache of these in an armory somewhere, or was I misinformed about the supply having been exhausted?

Model12Win · April 20, 2014, 01:00 AM

It's possible they got a new batch in from an importer??

johnwilliamson062 · April 20, 2014, 04:33 PM

I am unsure also. These aren't even the cracked stock variety that have been trickling out the last few years. All I can figure is someone had them in a warehouse in the US holding them in anticipation of the price rising and money got tight.

fiream29 · April 21, 2014, 06:45 PM

Quote:

I am unsure also. These aren't even the cracked stock variety that have been trickling out the last few years. All I can figure is someone had them in a warehouse in the US holding them in anticipation of the price rising and money got tight.

My suspicion also. Importers all claimed there "wouldn't be any more" and suddenly when the price goes over $300.00, here they are. Supply and demand. Cut off the supply and demand skyrockets. Funny thing is, many of the folks purchasing at the $300.00+ level are the same ones who turned their noses up when these guns were $60.00-70.00.

James K · April 21, 2014, 08:51 PM

It is common for importers to hold back milsurps. The quantities are so vast compared with sporting rifles that dumping them all on the market at once will depress prices and jade the interest. So smart importers will warehouse a lot of their stock, then release it a bit at a time to keep the interest (and the prices) up. Also, it is not unknown for a nation selling off its old arms to do the same thing, initially selling off only part of their stock. When they see that the "old junk" really has value, they will release more, adjusting the price accordingly.

Jim

g.willikers · April 22, 2014, 11:04 AM

They must have been studying how De Beers does it with diamonds.

zfk55 · April 23, 2014, 08:34 AM

Actually, a large number of these are marked "P". The arsenal rifles are mostly gone, and k31s are now bringing higher prices on the street in Switzerland. Bear in mind that even though the rifles stamped with "P" seem to be sought after, those are the very rifles that passed from the military (with a number of regular periodic qualifaication rounds fired) into the hands of the Private Citizen who easily may have continued to shoot competitions for years after. That equals: A lot more rounds through that barrel!

Capybara · April 23, 2014, 10:07 AM

AIM just sent out a follow up e-mail to some of us who ordered. This new AIM batch have huge, hideous importer billboards stamped right at the rear of the receiver. I have to say I have never seen such a bad place to mark them and such an ugly billboard. Kind of spoils them as far as collectibility but I am sure they will be great shooters.

sprouticus · May 1, 2014, 10:59 PM

Simpson LTD out of Illinois, puts a very small import mark on their K-31's

http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?...sort=4a&page=5

barnbwt · May 2, 2014, 07:51 PM

Jeezus, AIM, why would you do that?

I actually feel bad for buying GP11 from them, once. Never again, that's just retarded what they did there. Hope they fire whatever manager or contractor ruined all those guns.

TCB

tobnpr · May 3, 2014, 08:31 AM

Don't really know anything about the importing process/procedure, but I don't think this is AIM's doing.

Century is the importer, appears AIM bought these- from them. Shame on CAI, I suppose- but does anyone know the facts behind the requirements of the import /SN registrations?

Where on the firearms they need to be located (if any such restriction exists), and the size of the lettering?

There doesn't seem to be much consistency here with many C&R firearms, and obviously "less" is better- so why would an importer do anything other than make it as unobtrusive as possible?

I was unaware that Simpson imported directly...that's interesting...
Never bought from them before, but I've looked at their offerings online a lot.

DennisCA · May 4, 2014, 07:52 PM

Simpsons. LTD all ways has them - every else is just catching up

zfk55 · May 5, 2014, 07:44 AM

All of the Swiss rifles from Simpsons are selected and purchased by Bob Simpson himself. He travels often on these buying trips. That's how the descriptions are so very accurate and can be depended upon by the buyer.

Capybara · May 7, 2014, 12:55 PM

Now that I scored a decent K31, if I was to buy another, I would definitely check out Simpsons. You will pay premium prices but they have premium rifles too. If you want a really nice one or a rare one, Simpsons is the source. If you just want a shooter, the AIM ones are fine.

nate_g_2003 · May 7, 2014, 02:24 PM

I'm actually considering a Simpson's right now, over an AIM, simply due to CAI's extreme advertising on the rear of the receiver.

But I have a noob question: can you preload the magazine (like most other removable mags) and then insert it into the action/receiver and load the rifle? It just seems the charging clips command a premium from what I've seen.

kilimanjaro · May 7, 2014, 02:37 PM

Yes.

You can get spare magazines for about $50.

DennisCA · May 7, 2014, 02:40 PM

For those sitting on the fence; buy from Simpsons, LTD (IMHO)!
I bought a K11 (all matching with match bayo!) it was in good shape and it shoots well-very well!
Their customer-service is great and (like zfk55 said) the descriptions are spot one! I am very happy with my K11

nate_g_2003 · May 7, 2014, 02:45 PM

Thanks kilamanjaro. I figured one could, but work blocks most firearm-related websites and blogs, so I wasn't able to find the answer myself.

sprouticus · May 7, 2014, 06:57 PM

Keep shooting.com has repro K31 magazines for $45 a piece, or $40 each if you buy three.

The reviews for them look pretty good.

I have bought lots of stuff from those guys in the past.
Generally good prices and the review feature is neat.

The reviews help a lot when looking at the milsurp clothing, as far as getting the proper size.

http://www.keepshooting.com/schmidt-...-magazine.html

April 19, 2014, 10:19 PM	#1
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	Where are all the K-31's coming from again? I thought the Swiss has sold off the last from their arsenals years ago, and the spotty offerings seen were from private collections. In the past few weeks, at least three of the major online C&R retailers/wholesalers have them for sale again. I'm really tempted to buy a third one- still an amazing value. Did they uncover an unknown/forgotten cache of these in an armory somewhere, or was I misinformed about the supply having been exhausted? __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com

April 22, 2014, 11:04 AM	#6
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	They must have been studying how De Beers does it with diamonds. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

April 23, 2014, 08:34 AM	#7
zfk55 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2009 Location: Lost Prairie Montana Posts: 391	Actually, a large number of these are marked "P". The arsenal rifles are mostly gone, and k31s are now bringing higher prices on the street in Switzerland. Bear in mind that even though the rifles stamped with "P" seem to be sought after, those are the very rifles that passed from the military (with a number of regular periodic qualifaication rounds fired) into the hands of the Private Citizen who easily may have continued to shoot competitions for years after. That equals: A lot more rounds through that barrel! __________________ www.swissproductsllc.com An'' ole' Brer' Rabbit, he set in de bushes, he watch an' he wait, lay low an' he don' say nuffin'

May 2, 2014, 07:51 PM	#10
barnbwt Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2012 Posts: 1,085	Jeezus, AIM, why would you do that? I actually feel bad for buying GP11 from them, once. Never again, that's just retarded what they did there. Hope they fire whatever manager or contractor ruined all those guns. TCB __________________ "I don't believe that the men of the distant past were any wiser than we are today. But it does seem that their science and technology were able to accomplish much grander things." -- Alex Rosewater

May 3, 2014, 08:31 AM	#11
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	Don't really know anything about the importing process/procedure, but I don't think this is AIM's doing. Century is the importer, appears AIM bought these- from them. Shame on CAI, I suppose- but does anyone know the facts behind the requirements of the import /SN registrations? Where on the firearms they need to be located (if any such restriction exists), and the size of the lettering? There doesn't seem to be much consistency here with many C&R firearms, and obviously "less" is better- so why would an importer do anything other than make it as unobtrusive as possible? I was unaware that Simpson imported directly...that's interesting... Never bought from them before, but I've looked at their offerings online a lot. __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com

April 20, 2014, 01:00 AM	#2
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	It's possible they got a new batch in from an importer??

April 20, 2014, 04:33 PM	#3
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	I am unsure also. These aren't even the cracked stock variety that have been trickling out the last few years. All I can figure is someone had them in a warehouse in the US holding them in anticipation of the price rising and money got tight.

April 21, 2014, 08:51 PM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	It is common for importers to hold back milsurps. The quantities are so vast compared with sporting rifles that dumping them all on the market at once will depress prices and jade the interest. So smart importers will warehouse a lot of their stock, then release it a bit at a time to keep the interest (and the prices) up. Also, it is not unknown for a nation selling off its old arms to do the same thing, initially selling off only part of their stock. When they see that the "old junk" really has value, they will release more, adjusting the price accordingly. Jim

April 23, 2014, 10:07 AM	#8
Capybara Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2012 Posts: 180	AIM just sent out a follow up e-mail to some of us who ordered. This new AIM batch have huge, hideous importer billboards stamped right at the rear of the receiver. I have to say I have never seen such a bad place to mark them and such an ugly billboard. Kind of spoils them as far as collectibility but I am sure they will be great shooters.

May 1, 2014, 10:59 PM	#9
sprouticus Member Join Date: September 17, 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 38	Simpson LTD out of Illinois, puts a very small import mark on their K-31's http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?...sort=4a&page=5

May 4, 2014, 07:52 PM	#12
DennisCA Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2012 Location: Union City CA (a.k.a. Poople's Republik of CA) Posts: 451	Simpsons. LTD all ways has them - every else is just catching up

May 5, 2014, 07:44 AM	#13
zfk55 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2009 Location: Lost Prairie Montana Posts: 391	All of the Swiss rifles from Simpsons are selected and purchased by Bob Simpson himself. He travels often on these buying trips. That's how the descriptions are so very accurate and can be depended upon by the buyer. __________________ www.swissproductsllc.com An'' ole' Brer' Rabbit, he set in de bushes, he watch an' he wait, lay low an' he don' say nuffin'

May 7, 2014, 12:55 PM	#14
Capybara Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2012 Posts: 180	Now that I scored a decent K31, if I was to buy another, I would definitely check out Simpsons. You will pay premium prices but they have premium rifles too. If you want a really nice one or a rare one, Simpsons is the source. If you just want a shooter, the AIM ones are fine.

May 7, 2014, 02:24 PM	#15
nate_g_2003 Member Join Date: July 3, 2013 Location: Atascocita, TX Posts: 78	I'm actually considering a Simpson's right now, over an AIM, simply due to CAI's extreme advertising on the rear of the receiver. But I have a noob question: can you preload the magazine (like most other removable mags) and then insert it into the action/receiver and load the rifle? It just seems the charging clips command a premium from what I've seen. __________________ -Nathan- Remington 1911R1 .45ACP ~ Remington 870 Express SuperMag 12G ~ Smith & Wesson 629 Classic DX .44 Mag ~ Parker-Hale Model 1200 .30-06 CMP M1 Garand Special .30-06 ~ Tula '39 Mosin-Nagant M91/30 7.62x54R ~ Romanian M1969 Trainer .22LR

May 7, 2014, 02:37 PM	#16
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	Yes. You can get spare magazines for about $50.

May 7, 2014, 02:40 PM	#17
DennisCA Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2012 Location: Union City CA (a.k.a. Poople's Republik of CA) Posts: 451	I recommend Simpsons! For those sitting on the fence; buy from Simpsons, LTD (IMHO)! I bought a K11 (all matching with match bayo!) it was in good shape and it shoots well-very well! Their customer-service is great and (like zfk55 said) the descriptions are spot one! I am very happy with my K11

May 7, 2014, 02:45 PM	#18
nate_g_2003 Member Join Date: July 3, 2013 Location: Atascocita, TX Posts: 78	Thanks kilamanjaro. I figured one could, but work blocks most firearm-related websites and blogs, so I wasn't able to find the answer myself. __________________ -Nathan- Remington 1911R1 .45ACP ~ Remington 870 Express SuperMag 12G ~ Smith & Wesson 629 Classic DX .44 Mag ~ Parker-Hale Model 1200 .30-06 CMP M1 Garand Special .30-06 ~ Tula '39 Mosin-Nagant M91/30 7.62x54R ~ Romanian M1969 Trainer .22LR

May 7, 2014, 06:57 PM	#19
sprouticus Member Join Date: September 17, 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 38	Keep shooting.com has repro K31 magazines for $45 a piece, or $40 each if you buy three. The reviews for them look pretty good. I have bought lots of stuff from those guys in the past. Generally good prices and the review feature is neat. The reviews help a lot when looking at the milsurp clothing, as far as getting the proper size. http://www.keepshooting.com/schmidt-...-magazine.html