[amboy49]

Let

Obviously the serial number of the receiver on a Krieghoff defines when it was manufactured. Apparently 5 digit serial number goes up to the late 80's (?) and thereafter serial numbers are six digit.

The question becomes, other than the fact the receiver is older and could be more likely to need repair, is there a reason to be suspicious of older receivers ? I've often heard there is reason not to purchase a Model 32 Krieghoff below serial number 4500 or so as the metal is "softer."

I am trying to find an excellent condition used K80 and have been shied away from a couple of lower serial numbered guns. I'm sure there is not much that can't be fixed on a receiver including having the "ears" welded due to wear from shooting thousands of rounds. I just don't want to buy someone else's problem(s). Other than relying on the reputation/veracity of the seller and checking with Ottsville - any general concerns re: older vs newer ?

 

[BDodd]

IMHO, no issues with the K-80 to speak of and my 1961 M. 32 is still breaking skeet, 5 stand, sporting clays, and trap doubles birds. Reckon it doesn't know it's a bad model. It is a Krieghoff model, not Remington parts though......breakemall

 

[DB Bill]

If I'm not mistaken you weld the ears on the barrels --- not much you can do with the top-latch except replace it -- I think.

The early Kreighoff's problems were I think in those guns below SN 800 or so and had to do with using some parts from the Rem 32.

As to early vs later K-80's there were a few changes -- some cosmetic and some were improvements. Many people didn't like the K-80 logo and it was changed about the same time they put hardened hammers in the guns. They also did a small re-design with respect to springs but I wouldn't call any of them earth-shattering. I don't know when it happened but they also changed the way the ejectors are attached to the barrels -- used to be with a screw but after shooter's starting cross-threading the little screws when they attempted to clean muder the ejectors Krieghoff changed to a simple detent to hold the ejectors in place --- they are both equally as strong and equally capable of doing the job.

If you don't mind the way the K-80 logo looks on the side of the receiver and have a thick enough skin to ignore the "experts" who look down at the earlier K-80's save some money and buy one --- same thing with the barrels that have screws in the ejectors -- as long as you know how to use a screw-driver. Just be aware you'll take a $$$ hit when you sell.

 

[goose2]

Those I believe are called logo guns. Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[g7777777]

Maybe and a big Maybe the K32s below 1000- about 500 were made with a different trigger system and geometry so should maybe be avoided and it wasnt the first 500.

I dont think any K32 was ever surface hardened from the factory- a number have been after surface hardened either by nitriding or casehardening them

The only hit on a non surface hardened receiver was that guys abused them and scratched them- internally around the hinge pins and externally.

There have been several generations of hammers and springs- suffice it to say that with some rare exceptions (like a batch of K80 hammers that seemed prone to cracking) there isnt much difference in feel between any of them or reliability if you are a pull trigger shooter. The newer hammers on more recent K80s are more suited to release applications

They did bring out a silver anniversery logo gun by the way in blue with silver inlays

There are also lightweight variants of both the K32 and the K80 made of dural alloy

There is also a removable trigger version of the K80 and it works fine with pull triggers but some after market release triggers made by others seemed to provide problems in that configuration

Regards from Iowa

Gene

 

[dave-320c]

Hi:

PM sent.

Dave

 

[1oz]

I have a 800 series K32 its all krieghoff parts , krieghoff design and I had Krieghoff International go threw this gun and replace or rebuild anything that was needed including the 4 barrels that was with this gun . While they rebuilt the barrels to bring back to new specs they did upgrade the sear. I told Matt to make it like new . Now my problem is i dumped a ton on money in both the gun and wood having two stocks made wasn't happy with the first fit was ok grain wasn't. That i dont want to shoot it it's become a safe queen . Yes they can rebuild. If you have questions i would talk to K International they can stir you in the right direction.

 

[Dr.Longshot]

K-80s have 4 designs of hammers, Factory K-80RTs w/release triggers from the factory will not repair them, but convert them to pull triggers. I know they did it to mine rather than fix the releases.


Gary Bryant
Dr.longshot

 

[Rebel Sympathy]

Well, the popular concensus seems to be stay above 5000 serial number on the Model 32. That is primarily advice from folks who do not specialize in the Model 32.

Hal duPont told me it is best to stay above 3000, as a margin for error, so to speak. His favorite personal gun was #3300.

Matt Hartung at Krieghoff said, to be perfectly safe, stay above #2000. I like to stay above 3000 because the "tank-track" pattern does not run down the rear slope of the sliding hood after #3000.

The NRA American Rifleman article in issue August 1969, page 24 reads: "Action and all locking and important mechanical parts are hardened to resist wear." One can only assume this information was supplied by Krieghoff and not made up by the author, the American Rifleman technical staff. By August 1969, the serial numbers would have been well above #3000 - probably 4000.

In my little amateur opinion, the whole matter of the Model 32 vs. the Model K-80 rename was largely a marketing strategy to inspire prospects to go out and buy a new K-80. All I can say is, remember this: There are more differences between an early Model 32 and a late Model 32 than there are between a late Model 32 and a Model K-80. Very easily Krieghoff could have left the name as Model 32 and continued to make gradual changes. Have you ever heard of a Model 32 that was not rebuildable because the frame had stretched because it was not hardened? Of course not. The wear parts (trunions, barrel trunion pockets, hoods) were what wore - and those same parts wear on a Model K-80.

And I know some of you worry about springs and lock time, etc. Unless you are a contender for the World Championship, you need not worry. Besides, you can have that updated.

Additionally, the engraving on the higher grade Model 32's is vastly superior to the engraving on the K-80 models, unless you elect to pay for K-80 custom engraving patterns.

I have three 4-barrel sets above 5000 and one 4-barrel set in the 4400 range. The only difference I can see is the middle barrel hangers on the sub-gauge barrels (20-28-410) on the 4400 range gun are "hollow" design rather than "filled" design, as was the case above 5000. So, the weight may be off a hair if you are a 4-gauge skeet shooter. Other than that, the guns are all excellent.

The Model 32 is a sweet, sweet gun and is a bargain in the quality used target gun market today.

I like Logo K-80's. But, I like B-24's better than B-17's, and P-47's better than P-51's, and Ford's better than Chevy's, et al, ad nauseam...... which is why I am "Rebel Sympathy" (I rebel against popular trends for some reason).

By the way.... stay away from the phantom weight (alloy receiver) Model 32.

Mike Durhan