Worth the K11?

Medic101 · November 13, 2018, 02:45 PM

I won a GunBroker auction thinking I was bidding on a k31 because the item characteristics labeled it as a k31 I won the auction at $250 give or take, but some red flags got me investigating. There was no large Swiss Crest on the receiver behind the rear sight which made me think that it wasn't a k31, but rather a similar straight pull rifle and I come to find out in my research that it is a k11. I know the k31 is the best of the Swiss rifles, but is it still worth it to get the k 11 based on the price that I got it for despite it being advertised incorrectly?

Medic101 · November 13, 2018, 02:56 PM

PS stock has been cut down and missing butt plate

taylorce1 · November 13, 2018, 03:04 PM

Only you can decide that.

5whiskey · November 13, 2018, 03:06 PM

That's still not a bad price for a K11. A K11 is the Carbine model, while the 1911 is the full sized (LLLOOOOONNNNNNGGGGGGGG) model. Some folks refer to 1911s as K11, as the K31 designation is common and standard so they use the same "k" model standard for any rifle of the 1911 series out of habit or ignorance.

If it is, in fact, a K11 it will be very similar to a k31. There are some minor differences, but they are both accurate, both have a straight pull bolt, both were well made, and have very similar dimensions. Finding a K31 for that kind of price these days would be a Christmas miracle too. Heck, you did well for a K11. I would keep it if it's in decent shape.

5whiskey · November 13, 2018, 03:07 PM

Quote:

PS stock has been cut down and missing butt plate

Ehh... I don't know about that. You added that while I was typing my above response. This changes things. Can you provide a link to the auction?

Medic101 · November 13, 2018, 03:22 PM

www.gunbroker.com/item/789907366

5whiskey · November 13, 2018, 04:11 PM

It is a sporterized 1911 rifle. Non-matching and the barrel has been shortened. It would have been nice if the seller had posted a picture of the crown to see how well the work was done. Missing the butt plate...

As far as a collectible, it is not and likely never will be. If you wanted an original K31 this is far from it. As for a fine, unique rifle that is likely to shoot well as long as the sporterizing job was done well... it will probably be just that. Fitting a butt pad is easy enough.

RC20 · November 13, 2018, 04:36 PM

Its in very good condition, I have a full length one that is considered good, that one is better in the stock.

All the parts match so its been kept intact.

The K11 bolt is a bit different than the K31 but works the same and they are fun guns. Something ab out a straight pull that tickles me.

Seller documented it well and honestly.

You have a nice sporter 1911, if you can shoot iron sightr5s good entertainment.

As ammo is kept able to work in both guns its not going to require hand loads.

If you do re-load, then Graffs has PPU brass at a good price and all 30 cal bullet fit the bore (its so close to 30 cal as to be non issue)

Medic101 · November 13, 2018, 06:09 PM

The picture shows what I see as the misrepresentation

5whiskey · November 13, 2018, 10:54 PM

In the context of buying a sporterized Swiss rifle, I would keep it. You had to know it was sporterized so in that context there isn't much difference, functionally, between the k31 and 1911. The bolts are slightly different, and the k31 maybe was a slight upgrade, but either rifle will handle thousands of rounds of gp11 with no issue. The only drawback imo is that the barrel has been shortened. And if it was done properly that's a non issue.

Not sure if that is the standard front sight though. That looks a little cobbled together.

RC20 · November 14, 2018, 06:20 PM

Quote:

The picture shows what I see as the misrepresentation

I would call it an error that clearly was spelled out what it was (K11) in the other description(s) as well as the pictures.

Medic101 · November 15, 2018, 01:10 PM

That's the thing, turns out it isn't a k11 either; it's a cut down 1911

Medic101 · November 15, 2018, 01:18 PM

I mean I guess is u want to call a cut down 1911 a k11, you may be right on a technicality(given that the k11 was a short 1911 and that's essentially what I have here for the most part) , but it wasn't manufactured as a k11.

RC20 · November 15, 2018, 11:08 PM

Call it loose terminology. You should have had a clear idea what you were getting. Pictures were very good.

Lesson learned?, before you buy get yourself educated on the item. Internet is great of that.

5whiskey · November 16, 2018, 09:24 AM

I do agree with RC20 it appears that the item was fairly accurately described to me. At any rate, maybe it's not exactly what you want but you have a good project gun for probably about 300 all in. Strong chance that it will be a shooter. Make lemonade out of lemons.

Also, you asked about the stock in another thread. Having seen the inletting on a fair number of rifle stocks in my day, the Swiss do it right. My k31 is not bedded, nor does it really need to be. I doubt you will find a stock better than the one on it, albeit may not be the exact shape you want. I wouldn't be afraid to modify it personally. Get a belt sander and go to town, it's already been done to the stock so no loss. If you need to add profile to the stock a leather stock cover with a riser can be made and will look nice.

November 13, 2018, 02:45 PM	#1
Medic101 Member Join Date: May 23, 2018 Posts: 35	Worth the K11? I won a GunBroker auction thinking I was bidding on a k31 because the item characteristics labeled it as a k31 I won the auction at $250 give or take, but some red flags got me investigating. There was no large Swiss Crest on the receiver behind the rear sight which made me think that it wasn't a k31, but rather a similar straight pull rifle and I come to find out in my research that it is a k11. I know the k31 is the best of the Swiss rifles, but is it still worth it to get the k 11 based on the price that I got it for despite it being advertised incorrectly?

November 13, 2018, 03:04 PM	#3
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,248	Only you can decide that. __________________ NRA Life Member

November 13, 2018, 03:06 PM	#4
5whiskey Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2005 Location: US Posts: 3,657	That's still not a bad price for a K11. A K11 is the Carbine model, while the 1911 is the full sized (LLLOOOOONNNNNNGGGGGGGG) model. Some folks refer to 1911s as K11, as the K31 designation is common and standard so they use the same "k" model standard for any rifle of the 1911 series out of habit or ignorance. If it is, in fact, a K11 it will be very similar to a k31. There are some minor differences, but they are both accurate, both have a straight pull bolt, both were well made, and have very similar dimensions. Finding a K31 for that kind of price these days would be a Christmas miracle too. Heck, you did well for a K11. I would keep it if it's in decent shape. __________________ Support the NRA-ILA Auction, ends 03/09/2018 https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=593946

November 13, 2018, 04:11 PM	#7
5whiskey Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2005 Location: US Posts: 3,657	It is a sporterized 1911 rifle. Non-matching and the barrel has been shortened. It would have been nice if the seller had posted a picture of the crown to see how well the work was done. Missing the butt plate... As far as a collectible, it is not and likely never will be. If you wanted an original K31 this is far from it. As for a fine, unique rifle that is likely to shoot well as long as the sporterizing job was done well... it will probably be just that. Fitting a butt pad is easy enough. __________________ Support the NRA-ILA Auction, ends 03/09/2018 https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=593946

November 13, 2018, 04:36 PM	#8
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	Its in very good condition, I have a full length one that is considered good, that one is better in the stock. All the parts match so its been kept intact. The K11 bolt is a bit different than the K31 but works the same and they are fun guns. Something ab out a straight pull that tickles me. Seller documented it well and honestly. You have a nice sporter 1911, if you can shoot iron sightr5s good entertainment. As ammo is kept able to work in both guns its not going to require hand loads. If you do re-load, then Graffs has PPU brass at a good price and all 30 cal bullet fit the bore (its so close to 30 cal as to be non issue) __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

November 13, 2018, 02:56 PM	#2
Medic101 Member Join Date: May 23, 2018 Posts: 35	PS stock has been cut down and missing butt plate

November 13, 2018, 03:22 PM	#6
Medic101 Member Join Date: May 23, 2018 Posts: 35	www.gunbroker.com/item/789907366

November 13, 2018, 10:54 PM	#10
5whiskey Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2005 Location: US Posts: 3,657	In the context of buying a sporterized Swiss rifle, I would keep it. You had to know it was sporterized so in that context there isn't much difference, functionally, between the k31 and 1911. The bolts are slightly different, and the k31 maybe was a slight upgrade, but either rifle will handle thousands of rounds of gp11 with no issue. The only drawback imo is that the barrel has been shortened. And if it was done properly that's a non issue. Not sure if that is the standard front sight though. That looks a little cobbled together. __________________ Support the NRA-ILA Auction, ends 03/09/2018 https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=593946

November 15, 2018, 01:10 PM	#12
Medic101 Member Join Date: May 23, 2018 Posts: 35	That's the thing, turns out it isn't a k11 either; it's a cut down 1911

November 15, 2018, 01:18 PM	#13
Medic101 Member Join Date: May 23, 2018 Posts: 35	I mean I guess is u want to call a cut down 1911 a k11, you may be right on a technicality(given that the k11 was a short 1911 and that's essentially what I have here for the most part) , but it wasn't manufactured as a k11.

November 15, 2018, 11:08 PM	#14
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	Call it loose terminology. You should have had a clear idea what you were getting. Pictures were very good. Lesson learned?, before you buy get yourself educated on the item. Internet is great of that. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

November 16, 2018, 09:24 AM	#15
5whiskey Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2005 Location: US Posts: 3,657	I do agree with RC20 it appears that the item was fairly accurately described to me. At any rate, maybe it's not exactly what you want but you have a good project gun for probably about 300 all in. Strong chance that it will be a shooter. Make lemonade out of lemons. Also, you asked about the stock in another thread. Having seen the inletting on a fair number of rifle stocks in my day, the Swiss do it right. My k31 is not bedded, nor does it really need to be. I doubt you will find a stock better than the one on it, albeit may not be the exact shape you want. I wouldn't be afraid to modify it personally. Get a belt sander and go to town, it's already been done to the stock so no loss. If you need to add profile to the stock a leather stock cover with a riser can be made and will look nice. __________________ Support the NRA-ILA Auction, ends 03/09/2018 https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=593946