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Posted: 1/2/2008 7:40:52 PM EDT
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I've broken down and decided to buy a K31. It looks like AIM Surplus, Classic Arms, and Samco all have K31s at around the same price range. Rather than ask a "Who's better" question, I'd like to know if anyone had a bad experience from these dealers. Also, is "Hand Select" worth the $10? |
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IMO handpick doesn't really do a whole lot unless you buy from a very small company that has the time to mull through a bunch of whatever you are ordering. A lot of "hand picks" that I have ordered have led me to doubt its efficacy. YMMV and $10 is not that big of a deal so I guess you might say why the hell not, but then again... |
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If you have a Dunham's sports nearby, they run them on sale quite frequently if they still have them in inventory. I picked up two there for $109. They are wonderful rifles whose quality is not at all belied by their cost! My Dunham's rifle are from CAI and Samco, as I remember. I think one of the biggest differences you are going to find between importers is the size and siting of the import EP mark. The CAI went across the left receiver wall while samco seems to put theirs on the underside of the barrel near the muzzle. Whatever you do, stay away from R Guns, they put a massive billboard on every rifle they bring in... Good Luck |
Yeah I LOVE Samco's marks. You have to LOOK for 'em. All thing being equal, if you cannot find one locally, I've dealt with AIM on several occasions and you'd be hard-pressed to find a better group of guys. I cannot recommend them enough. |
I don't know about yours, but the quality of firearms at my local Dunham's has gone up significantly in the last year or so. Before, what they had could charitably be called "junk," while now they've got some nice rifles. |
I've gotten some decent pieces there, my first K31 from there was back when I first started and was not as 'discerning.' It is a well worn '43 refurb with half walnut/half beech spliced stock. Since then, the second K31 is a '54 with no real bluing wear other than the the barrel bands, which I might redo. It came with a tag, and I figure I will redo the stock with minwax 'golden oak.' Also scored an ex sniper 91/30 for $80. Steyr 95/34 'mummy wrap' rifle also for $80. It turned out with 100% blue and a perfect bore. Got a 24/47 there with a like new bore for $109 as well. The thing about Dunham's is that they are going to have some dogs there too, and get picked over very quickly. You have to check in all the time to get something decent. To the OP, you'd better jump on a K31 very quick, they are climbing rapidly in price...although IMHO they are worth 3x even what they are charging now. EDIT: Also try searching "Family Firearms and Finishes," or just find them on the surplusrifle.com forums. Todd goes to AIM and picks the best of what they have. You can then see pictures of what you are about to buy. I got an absolutely wonderful 660 code RC K98 from him, and things couldn't have gone better! |
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I got these from AIM last week, one is a '41 and the other is a '42. The metal and wood are in very good shape. I did pay the extra $10 for hand pick. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/bill_5r/k31s.jpg |
That top one has some striking wood!  And welcome aboard. 
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I don't know about your local dunhams, but the one I went to here in WV is nuts!! they had a few mosins, enfields, steyrs, ect. If you wanted to pay almost double the price than what you can order them for!! And they wanted 10 Bucks for 10rds of GP11 After I found out the price of the ammo I left in a hurry!! wow.
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