Collecting and Shooting the Military Surplus Rifle (2005)

Tech-Sight TS100 SKS Sight

Article by Jamie Mangrum

Adobe PDF Downloadable Version of Article

I realized recently that I have been somewhat negligent and have not focused enough attention on one of the most accurate, interesting, and pretty (I guess I could have used handsome for a masculine perspective) firearms offered today on the military surplus market. The Swiss Karabiner 31 or also known by its slang term (and incorrectly so) Schmidt-Rubin k31 is an excellent deal ranging in price from $79 to $200 depending on the dealer and the condition of the rifle. For the sake of this article we will just refer to her from this point forward as the - k31. True to the Swiss stereotype, the k31 is a beautifully engineered firearm that is just a joy to shoot. I am always looking for that firearm that will make me a better shooter. As if that is all it will take to make me a better shooter. The k31 is one of those unique firearms that does fall into the category of - it can shoot better than most of the shooters that own them. I have always wondered how well the k31 would perform with optics. I do not want to permanently alter my rifle so the idea of a scout style mount comes to mind.

A couple of years ago I wrote an article on mounting a scout style scope mount on the Mosin-Nagant. I chose to review the S&K mount for that article as well. I have reviewed hundreds of similar products since then and have come to the following conclusion: S&K really makes a great product!

Here are some points to consider:

The S&K mounts and rings are not made from aluminum like competitors. They are made from cold, hard steel. They can withstand the constant pressure and beating a large caliber cartridge can dish out.
They fit without modification to either the mount or the firearm (which is very important!).
The scope really can be removed and replaced without having to re-zero the weapon because of the excellent system for attaching the rings to the base.

Pictured above is the S&K Swiss k31 Scout Style Scope Mount, Rings, and Hardware.

The Project Begins

SAFETY! Make sure the rifle is unloaded and pointed in a safe direction before continuing with the project.

It is also prudent to remove the magazine and bolt to ensure a constant safe environment while you work.

The k31 rear sight is simple to remove by drifting out the retaining pin.

Project Components and Where to Buy the Parts

#3165 SCHMIDT RUBIN K-31 SCOUT (w/Rings) $ 74.00

S & K scope mounts

http://www.scopemounts.com

RD 2, Box 72 E
Sugar Grove, PA 16350-9201

Telephone: (814) 489-3091
Toll Free: (800) 578-9862
Fax: (814) 489-5466

email: comments@scopemounts.com

Manufacturer Supplied Marketing Information

S & K INSTA MOUNT BASES

The BEST WAY to mount a scope on your ex-military rifle. WHY?

No major alteration to your valuable firearm
No drilling or tapping of the ultra hard receiver
Do the work yourself
Handsome ruggedness
Guaranteed to hold zero
Low cost for a quality product
Unmatched versatility
Can be removed and/or reinstalled easily
Fast service

INSTA MOUNT RING STYLE SELECTION
Some of our Insta Mounts are available in both the S&K style (to accept S&K rings) and the Weaver ring style (to accept Weaver rings). These ring styles are NOT interchangeable. The distinction is made via the order numbers associated with each mount. All order numbers ending in a 65 include a pair of S&K machine finished 1" scope rings (H1B). Order numbers ending in 60 include the base only in the S&K ring style so be sure to have some S&K rings available; deduct value of ringsvto determine cost. See Order Page. All order numbers ending in 70 or 70B are for Weaver rings (not included).

ADVANTAGES OF S&K MOUNTING SYSTEM

Front and rear rings are interchangeable
Ring studs mate to matching receptacles in bases
BOTH rings bear against front of their respective receptacles (both absorb recoil shock)
Trim in appearance, light in weight
Precision bored - scope will not slip
No knobs, bolts or other obtrusions to break or bend
Fit any 1 inch scope tube

All S&K rings are fully machined out of solid steel bar stock, tumble finished to remove all burrs, and have a 3/8" diameter stud that locks into a 3/8" hole or slot in the base which provides windage adjustment. The rings are locked into position by tightening cooperative cone pointed set screws. The rings are precision bored to 1" diameter and, being machined rather than extruded or stamped, form a precision fit that will not slip under recoil. They are nicely contoured and trim in appearance. Our rings are tumble finished and blued to achieve a military-type dull or non-glare black finish that matches the black anodized Insta Mount bases. Also available in this finish are our H1BH High rings which place the scope approx. 3/16" higher.

Set the pin aside once removed.

Lift out the rear sight once the retaining pin is removed.

Push the sight spring forward.

Remove the sight spring.

So as not to lose the original parts I place the spring, rear sight, and the retaining pin in a sealable plastic bag and placed them in safe storage.

Pictured in figure 8 is the supplied flange nut.

Slide the flange nut into the undercut at the front of the sight were the spring was, as shown in figure 9.

Place the S&K mount over the flange nut as shown in figure 10.

Line up the (2) 3-48 tapped holes (one on either side of the mount) toward the front of the mount with the holes in the sight base that the sight retaining pin had been originally installed.

Install the (2) 3-48 hex screws in the holes and only lightly hand tighten just enough to keep the mount in the base.

Next place a tool in the countersunk hole that is over the flange nut. This is to make sure the flange nut sits properly inside the counter bored hole in the bottom of the mount.

Place the 10-32 3/4 flat head screw through the mount and into the flange nut.

Tighten the 10-32 3/4 flat head screw.

Tighten the (2) 3-48 screws at the front of the mount.

Insert the 10-32 1/2 set screw as shown in figure 17.

Tighten the 10-32 1/2 screw against the receiver.

The instructions state that the 10-32 1/2 screw is for making vertical or elevation adjustments to the mount. If you find your rifle shooting low, loosen the 10-32 3/4 flat head screw and tighten the 10-32 1/2 set screw. Then retighten the 10-32 3/4 flat head screw. For every 1/3 turn of the 10-32 1/2 set screw you will move approximately 8 inches at 100 yards. So don't move it very much when making adjustments.

Insert the forward scope ring.

Insert the rear scope ring.

Set the scope in the open rings to align them.

Place the forward top half of the ring on.

Place the rear top half of the ring on.

Insert and only lightly tighten the four cone set screws in as shown in figure 24.

Insert the screws into the top ring halves.

Make certain you have proper eye relief and line up the reticule properly. Hold the rifle up, with your cheek against the comb of the stock, then peer through the scope as if you are preparing to shoot. Make sure you have a full and clear picture (non-blurry) by moving the scope backwards and forward until the picture is just right. Then make certain the reticule is properly aligned to the rifle. The horizontal line or windage reticule should be level/parallel to the top of the rifle.

Alternate slowly, tightening the screws of the rings evenly so the gaps are even on both sides of the ring. Completely tighten the four cone set screws locking the rings into the mount.

Figure 27 shows the completed project!

When I got to the range I had a little difficulty placing on the paper right off the bat. Then I remembered that I had my trusty Leopold bore sighter in my bag and within a few minutes I had the windage perfect and the elevation was within inches. I have paid for this thing several times over with the amount of ammo I have saved while sighting in scope setups. The Long Eye Relief (LER) scope is a 2x BSA pistol scope that I paid less than $50 a couple of years ago and have used in several article projects on the site.

Figure 29 kind of gives you an idea as to the sight picture you will get with a scout scope and mount setup. It is easy to migrate to this type of a scope from traditional eye relief scopes. The trick is to leave both eyes open when you shoot. After firing off 40 cartridges I checked all the screws on the mount and everything was still rock solid.

Figure 30 shows the average 5 shot grouping I was able to achieve with the S&K setup. I was pretty pleased and a little winded. I was recovering from pneumonia and had laryngitis. Too be honest I should not have been at the range so soon, but I wanted to try out the scoped k31. The only downside I found was that I had about half a dozen guys come up to me and ask - "where the heck did you get that mount?!" With a feeble voice I would smile and very quietly say "From S&K. You can find them at Scopemounts.com."

Adobe PDF Downloadable Version of Article