Swiss 1911 Question

[RC932]

Went to the local pawn shop yesterday to sell a couple of things and I see a couple of Swiss 1911s in there. One of them is marked a 1911 while the other is marked a K31 even though (and I had to find out when I went home to look) it's also a 1911 and identical to the one next to it. So I'm interested in taking one of the two home and begin the struggle of fitting it into my safe (height wise, my M91 has the same issue.)

The one that's marked K31 comes with a magazine and I think they have it marked for 300. Bore looks good, albeit a bit fouled, couldn't find any pitting or rust personally. Does this seem like a good price or should I try and talk them down a bit?
They also have Swiss military cases of ammo, 480 rounds for 300 bucks. Anyone got any idea of the price on these?

[desdem12]

Swiss k11s and k31s are close to the same but not exactly the same. 300 seems to be the going rate but I would try to talk them down. Swiss didn't use corrosive ammo so barrel should cleanup. The ammo price is high by a bit. Maybe 30-40 bucks or so high.

[RC932]

What convinced me that the K31 marked one is a 1911 is not just the height difference between a K31 and a 1911 rifle, but the use of the small Swiss crest. I remember reading somewhere that the K31 used the large crest. However I'm not very knowledgeable on these rifles. Is there anything that would be a dead giveaway if I go look at it?

[millman]

The K11 bolt will be longer than a K31. The K11 bolt has sort of an extension sticking out the front.
http://www.swissrifles.com/sr/

[Greasemonkey]

Is there anything that would be a dead giveaway if I go look at it?

The K11 has a reddish plastic(phenolic) bolt knob, a K31 uses an aluminum bolt knob.

[desdem12]

Magazines are different. The k31 mag will have a curve to it while the k11 will have a slope only. The k31 has a shorter bolt with a silver color handle and the k11 will be reddish or faded red. K11 handguard goes around rear sight and k31 handguard starts at the front of the rear sight.

[RC932]

Yup...from what everyone's said here, it's a mismarked 1911 for sure. I don't think they're open tomorrow but come Tuesday I think I'm going to go haggle for a pretty Swiss rifle

[bunkysdad]

Remember, there are 1911 rifles, and 1911 carbines, which are the same length as the K31. Because both carbines are the same length, but the k31 has a shorter bolt, the difference is in the barrel length. The k31 is considered to be highly accurate for a carbine because the barrel is longer, matching accuracy with a longer K11 long rifle. Besides the difference in the bolt knobs(red phenolic plastic vs silver metal) the quickest way to tell the difference is the mag location. On a k31 the magazine butts up next to the trigger guard. The improvements made to the K31 make it the strongest bolt of all of them. Personally, I just flat out love the K11, both rifle and carbine.

[desdem12]

BD is right. They moved the lugs from the rear to the front for added strength on the bolt. The bolt was made shorter so the barre could be longer to increase accuracy of the shorter rifle to meet their standards of accuracy. I definitely want a swiss long rifle one of these days.

[RC932]

They got 2 in the pawn shop, and unfortunately the one with the magazine is in a lesser condition than the one with it. I got a deal made with the one lacking the magazine that I get 230 even for a cash sale. Thing is...I just have to find a magazine now. Any good ideas on where to buy a 1911 magazine?

[desdem12]

Nope. Try Gb. They are likely expensive. At least 90% if not higher are matching the rifles they are on.

[RC932]

GB only has one magazine, and it's 145. That seem like a common price on the magazines?

[desdem12]

Is this a k11, g1911 or a k31? Greasemonkey just posted a link to a k31 reproduction mag. And no they are not the same as the k11 but not sure if they will fit but I doubt it.

[RC932]

G11. it's the sloped magazine, no curves to it.

[Greasemonkey]

Ok, I dug some, so don't shoot the messenger cause it's a needle in the haystack search.

Only ideas I have for a replacement magazine, the Swiss used the same magazine in the 1911, K11, 1889/1900, 1905 and the 1896/11. The K31 is completely different.
First up, http://www.fivesevenammo.com/sgca/produ ... product=11
or this, http://alwayscollectable.com/magazines
or the other route, go to this board , look for a member named Guisan, he's a great guy to deal with , he's over seas and deals with and has access to numerous Swiss parts. He is like the Swiss rifle guru.
http://theswissriflesdotcommessageboard ... oSJk6r0GlM

Hope, maybe that helps some

[desdem12]

Yikes. The 60 dollar one looks pretty good.

[Jlr2267]

RC932 the Swiss G11 ammo can be had from Sportsmans Guide, shipped to your door for less.

[desdem12]

G11= gewehr 11 (Rifle) (this case long rifle)
GP11=gewehr patrone 11 (ammo) Just for clarification purposes

[RC932]

For that price of a magazine I think I'm going to be picking up a G11 in the very near future! I'll be posting pics when I do.

Appreciate all the information folks!