question about bolt-action safety operation
I am looking to get a .243 caliber rifle for my wife, and eventually my kids, to hunt whitetails with. I understand that most rifles must be in the "fire" position to operate the bolt, but that the Winchester M70 safety has a 3rd position that will allow the bolt to operate in a "non-fire" position.
My question: What other bolt action rifles have a similar safety that will allow bolt operation in a "non-fire" position?
My question: What other bolt action rifles have a similar safety that will allow bolt operation in a "non-fire" position?
0
-
Savage has a 3 position safety. Remington 700 can be loaded and unloaded while on safety too it just don't have a 3 position safety. 0 -
And of course unaltered Mauser 98's have the milspec 3 position safty. But why the question, novices hunting with a round chambered, locked and cocked, on safe, is just asking for an accident. If this is what you intend, my suggestion is that you have all your life insurance paid up and a good hospital plane as well. Lots of folks get away with it every year, some don't. 0 -
Thanks D@D. Can I assume then that the Remington bolt can open unintentionally while transporting?
I'm concerned about the wife getting on the stand and having to put the gun in the "fire" position to chamber a round. I'm not aware of any high accident rates to those who hunt "cocked and locked" after getting in the stand with an unloaded gun. That is a risk I can live with - literally.0 -
h2o_dog, Deer can be spooked just from the sound of moving the safety from "safe" to "fire". I can't imagine a deer staying around long enough to allow getting off a shot after the noise caused by chambering a round. I disagree with the statement that hunting with a round chambered and the rifle on safe is "asking for an accident". A novice should be familiar with the rules of handling a gun safely before being allowed in the woods with a rifle. I suggest that you limit your search to rifles that can be loaded and unloaded with the safety on "safe". 0 -
If your wife has been properly instructed in and operates by the basic rules of firearm safety she should encounter no problems. Is the deer stand you put her in a dangerous (more so than average) situation? Of course ANYONE should be thoroughly familiar with ANY firearm before handling it, much less hunting with it. I'm not trying to talk to you like you're an idiot or anything like that, just kinda puzzled by the post. 0 -
Hershel, I'm with you 100%. I thought my previous reply indicated that. I'm looking for the list of rifles that can be loaded and unloaded with the gun in the "safe" position.
EN98, I guess I'm not the only one confused by your comments...
Although unsolicited and unecessary, your safety tips are appreciated. I'm just looking for some info on rifles, since I'm a life-long shotgunner. I have heard that Brownings and a lot of other bolt action require the gun to be in the "fire" position in order to cycle rounds. I don't like that for myself...much less my wife or kids.
You can load and unload a shotgun until you fingers get sore and never is a "hot trigger" required..."cocked and locked" is standard fare. Your info is appreciated.0 -
h20 dog,
Win 70 and Ruger 77 MKII (3 position) have them and are very similar with their three position safeties.
The Win. and Ruger have a 3 position side safety that FWD is fire, Middle is "on safe, bolt unlocked", and Rear position is "safe, bolt locked".
These are the best safeties in the firearm industry I think.
As to these type safeties making noise in the woods I recommend keeping your finger or thumb pressed against the safety lever instead of flicking it and the 'click' will be muffled enough so as not to spook your quarry.
I do highly recommend keeping the safety on while moving in the woods and switching the safety to fire as you raise the rifle like you would a shotgun. A good habit that takes a lot of retrainig and retaining.
We have the second amendment so that all the rest are secure....UNK>0 -
The new Sakos allow you to load an unload with the safty on. Love that feature in the rifles.
Sako Fan0 -
a safety is a safety. Here is how to avoid accidents,..walk from the truck to the stand with the rifle magazine loaded but no round in the chamber. Once in the stand, work the bolt slowly and quietly chamber a round,..then put the rifle in the "safe" position. As has been stated, when a deer approaches or the twigs start snapping 50yds in the brush,..slowly use 2 fingers to control the movement of the safety and no sound will be heard. If no deer comes by or one has been shot,..put the rifle back into the "safe" position and resume your waiting. UNLOAD it BEFORE climbing out of the tree-stand. I pull the bolt back and push the rounds down in the magazine, then while pressing them down, bring the bolt back over top of them to close on an empty chamber. If I see a deer during my walk,..all it takes is a working of the bolt to insert a round and take my "snap-shot".
I never understood all the hooplah that gets brought into a safety discussion. Just use common sense and try not to be foolish with a firearm. As long as the safety stops the firing pin from moving,..it doesn't matter if it's 3 position, 2 position, or voice activated via a NASA satalite.
I have all the types, tang mounted, side safety, win/ruger 3 pos wing safety, and a mauser 98. I keep in mind the operation of the safety on the rifle I am carrying that day,..and as I said I DO NOT TRAVEL OR CLIMB A LADDER with a loaded firearm. Let's say the time you drop your rifle from say 15ft up the ladder is the time it decideds to fail with regard to the safety,...that barrel is pointed up your A$$ when the rifle butt hits the ground.[:0][xx(]
good question to ask,..but not that much thought needs to be put into it. Test your safety at home, and get your family used to letting the safety off quietly while watching TV or whatever.
The only stupid question is the one not asked that results in trajedy.
why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
Got Balistics?0 -
JustC...your answer shows wisdom and experience, but a 3 position safty can only enhance a safe hunting experience. Bolt lock is a good feature too.
Sako Fan0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
10 comments