[RiverRatMatt]

I've been looking for a fun gun that's also practical as a 'do-everything' gun. One thing I thought might be cool is taking a K31 (straight pull, 7.5x55mm) and shortening the barrel to 16'' (or less) and adding a fold-out (or separate perhaps) bayonet.

I have a couple questions though.
a.) Is this possible?
b.) Is this practical?
c.) What kind of ballistics loss could one expect from losing almost half the barrel?
d.) Am I ridiculous for even considering this?

Have at!

 

[paulbow]

Just buy a Mosin M44 and call it good.

 

[D3S3RT_P3NGU1N]

First off forget the bayonet

Rather than messing up a nice rifle like a K31, you could do something similar to a Mosin instead

Check out this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlhRt4eX6LI

 

[raven11]

d.) Am I ridiculous for even considering this?

yes, a M44 mosin is cheaper and the gods of mil-surp won't beat you to death in your sleep

 

[Palouse]

Another vote for the Mosin.

 

[amd65]

mosin's are good rifles...k31's are excellent rifles...a carbine length k31 would be very very cool. Your heirs may want to curse you when they find out your "bubba" job k31 isnt worth what an original k31 is, but who cares?

 

[method]

First of all, to vent on a peeve of mine, a K31 isn't a Schmidt Rubin; they're two separate distinct actions that both happen to be straight pull.

Anyhow, I sure would go to 16", 18 or 20 at the shortest, but have at it I guess. Is sort of sacrilege to chop such a fine rifle though.

 

[427]

Most K31's are boringly accurate as is.

If you chop the barrel you'd probably loose the accuracy while increasing the blast and recoil.

What about the stock?

How are you going to mount a folding bayonet?

If you chop the barrel to 16 inches, the over all length of the k31 ends up to be just about the same over all length as an M44.

IMO it seems like a lot of work to destroy a nice collectable rifle.

 

[390ish]

Sounds like you are in the market for a hi point carbine. Don't chop up good stuff.

 

[Steel & Wood]

yes, a M44 mosin is cheaper and the gods of mil-surp won't beat you to death in your sleep

:rofl:


+1,000,000!!!:wavey:


OP, please don't destroy a work of art! If you want to tinker, use an M91/30 Mosin Nagant......and forget the bayonet, you won't need it.


TGG

 

[Berto]

yes, a M44 mosin is cheaper and the gods of mil-surp won't beat you to death in your sleep

:rofl::rofl: Best answer. Don't desecrate a K31.

 

[RiverRatMatt]

Didn't know there was a difference between the K31 and S-R, good to know

I'll definitely consider a Mosin M44, but I like fine rifles. This wouldn't be a hacksaw job, I would have it done by a professional gunsmith. I don't have the tools or skills to put a proper crown on it etc.

The bayonet is mainly for fun, but it could have practical uses too (defense).

 

[GAU-8]

I have actually seen this done. A guy that comes to the Dallas Market Hall gun show would do a carbine version on a K-31. He did absolutely awesome work and they were incredible. I'm not sure what the barrel length was but it was nice and handy. His work was such that you had to ask if it was original. I would have one if he did not want $600 for them. They were worth it though.

OP: I would not worry too much about destroying a mil-surp as there are tons of them in country. Buy two of them and keep one original and convert the other. If the work is high quality it's not a bubba.