Swiss ZfK55 Rifle Review
The user “thirsty”, of AR15.com, has posted this great write up and range report on the Swiss ZfK55 rifle. And with his permission I have reconstructed the thread for you here. I had to cut it down a bit due to the number of photos. Enjoy the eye candy:
The Zielfernrohrkarabiner Modell 1955 or “scoped carbine model of 1955” is a design based largely on the K31. It also is referred to as K31/55 or ZfKar.55. There were a total of 4150 ZfK55 rifles manufactured, beginning with serial number 1000. My example is serial number 2397 and was manufactured in 1958. These rifles saw only a few years of service in the Swiss Army before being retired and issued to Swiss police snipers or sold to private individuals. Most rifles show signs of being used extensively, though there are the rare examples that were never issued.
Like the K31, the ZfK uses a simplified Schmidt-Rubin straight pull action and is chambered in the excellent 7.5×55mm Swiss. But while it looks like a modified K31, there’s actually very little parts commonality between the two, as in only 5 or 6 parts that are readily interchangeable, including the 6-round magazines. The scope, scope storage can and magazine are all serialized to the rifle. From a collector’s standpoint, an all matching numbers ZfK55 includes the scope and can. Not having them is detrimental to the value.
The ZfK has a receiver machined with mounting lugs for the scope. The receiver is canted to the right so stripper clips and ejected cartridges clear the scope. The scope is designed so it mounts directly over the bore axis, making sight-in a breeze. The windage drum is graduated whereas the elevation drum is not.
The Zfk55 receiver in comparison with the K31
Even the magazine is canted. K31 included in pic for comparison.
The Zfk weighs almost 5 pounds heavier than the K31 due to the weight of the scope, the heavy barrel, and bipod assembly. The barrel is free floated and as you can see in the picture there is minimal contact between the stock, barrel band and the barrel. The stock and upper hand guard are inletted to prevent contact.
The bipod mounts to the receiver so as not to interfere with the free-floated barrel.
The barrel is equipped with a unique beehive flash hider that is extremely effective at reducing felt recoil. In my opinion, the ZfK55 has recoil comparable to that of an M1A. The flash hider also gives the ZfK a distinctive report.
The matching Kern 3.5x scope has a simple reticle as seen in the picture. Also pictured below is a section of the rifle’s manual showing how the reticle was used on targets of varying distances. The rifle should be sighted in at 300 meters to best take advantage of GP-11 ballistics. Once sighted in at 300m, there is only 1 diopter difference between 100 and 300, and 300 and 500 meters. I’m not quite sure what a diopter is.
Caption roughly translated: Figure 7- Sight pictures of field targets at distances of 100, 300 and 500m
The scope storage can is designed to hold the scope firmly and protect it from the elements as well as impacts. Swiss snipers were trained to keep the scope in the can until they were in position in order to prevent any damage to the optics. The Kern scopes are not comparable to modern glass; they are actually pretty delicate despite weighing more than a pound. In the pic, you can see the large rubber gasket that serves to seal the can as well as clamp the scope firmly in place. You can see the tool to the right of the pic used to lock the adjustment drum screws in place to prevent the drums from moving once zeroed.
The ZfK bolt is different due to the angled design of the receiver. It also has a third locking lug toward the base of the bolt sleeve.
ZfK55 bolt on top.
The rifle is a joy to shoot. The combination of weight and flash hider dampens the recoil considerably and allows for faster follow-up shots. I put a 60-round brick of GP-11 downrange with little fatigue and I was disappointed I didn’t bring more.
The bipod works great in prone position it fits me perfectly. The bipod itself is loosely mounted on a swivel so it has side-to-side adjustability for shooting on rough or uneven terrain. Thanks to Swiss engineering and maintenance ethics this rifle has a mint bore and smooth operation.
This rifle is still capable of shooting excellent groups in the hands of a marksman, which I am not. I’m not at all a consistent shooter but I find it easy to make good shots with the ZfK55. My only dislike is the need for a chin weld to get a good sight picture. This is something that can be cured with a strap-on cheek rest, however.
These targets were shot at 100 yards prone with 1980’s GP-11 surplus. This target shows a 12-shot group. I can only account for 10 hits so two rounds passed through existing holes.
My best group was 1.5” @ 100yrds. Not too shabby for a 50yr old rifle and poorly disciplined shooter.
The ZfK55 is an outstanding rifle. They are very expensive simply due to rarity. But if you have the funds and want something unique and rare to shoot, the ZfK fits the bill.
