Location of bolt gun safety - Page 2

Erno86 · May 10, 2016, 03:54 PM

Not wrapping the thumb over the grip portion of the stock...helps to prevent a flinch in some cases.

kraigwy · May 11, 2016, 10:27 AM

I'm trying to remember using the safety one all of my rifle except my ARs.

When hunting I don't use the safety as I don't carry a round in the chamber. I just chamber around as I'm getting ready to shoot.

In competitions, unless I'm ready to shoot, I have an empty chamber indicator in the rifle. When I load, the bolt is always to the rear, except for Garands and Carbine where you start with the bolt closed on an empty chamber.

I do like the Model 70's safety for unloading a gun by working the bolt.

I just never had a problem with safety locations on my rifles.

Picher · May 22, 2016, 06:23 AM

I like the Remington 700 safety location because I almost never wrap my thumb. Keeping it on the right side makes operating the bolt faster and it just feels natural to me.

People who use Savage 99s, especially with the top tang safety, probably like to wrap their thumbs because the action cocks on closing and takes more effort than other lever guns, so thumb wrapping seems natural for that rifle.

Gunplummer · May 22, 2016, 02:15 PM

I don't know about that. The reason I lost interest in Winchester 94 lever guns is because they are not nearly as smooth as 99 Savage. The first time I shot a 99 Savage and flicked the spent case out with two fingers, I was hooked. The trade off was the handy exposed hammer(Safety) on the 94. It was much faster and positioned better than the Savage lever safety. As far as a HUNTING bolt action goes, it is hard to beat the Arisaka safety once you get used to it. I have jumped a lot of deer and dropped them with a snap shot. I have two that are still my "Go to" rifles for walking around deer hunting. I have had .303 Brits for hunting, and they were accurate, but I just never felt comfortable with the safety location. I guess it is an individual thing.

tangolima · May 22, 2016, 02:46 PM

British Lee Enfield actually has 2 safeties; the lever on the left, or the half cock on the bolt.

The safety on arisaka really needs some getting used to. You can't use your palm if a scope is mounted. It is operated by friction. It may be a problem if your hand is wet, and / or the mechanism is dirty inside.

-TL

Gunplummer · May 23, 2016, 04:03 AM

I use my thumb, and don't hunt with a dirty rifle. Been out in freezing rain with no problems.

SIGSHR · May 23, 2016, 03:08 PM

My experience with younger and inexperienced shooters is that a safety mounted on the right side of the bolt and is a little stiff requires them to take their finger off the trigger.

May 10, 2016, 03:54 PM	#26
Erno86 Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2012 Location: Marriottsville, Maryland Posts: 1,739	Not wrapping the thumb over the grip portion of the stock...helps to prevent a flinch in some cases. __________________ That rifle hanging on the wall of the working class flat or labourer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." --- George Orwell

May 11, 2016, 10:27 AM	#27
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I'm trying to remember using the safety one all of my rifle except my ARs. When hunting I don't use the safety as I don't carry a round in the chamber. I just chamber around as I'm getting ready to shoot. In competitions, unless I'm ready to shoot, I have an empty chamber indicator in the rifle. When I load, the bolt is always to the rear, except for Garands and Carbine where you start with the bolt closed on an empty chamber. I do like the Model 70's safety for unloading a gun by working the bolt. I just never had a problem with safety locations on my rifles. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

May 22, 2016, 06:23 AM	#28
Picher Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 3,694	I like the Remington 700 safety location because I almost never wrap my thumb. Keeping it on the right side makes operating the bolt faster and it just feels natural to me. People who use Savage 99s, especially with the top tang safety, probably like to wrap their thumbs because the action cocks on closing and takes more effort than other lever guns, so thumb wrapping seems natural for that rifle.

May 22, 2016, 02:15 PM	#29
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	I don't know about that. The reason I lost interest in Winchester 94 lever guns is because they are not nearly as smooth as 99 Savage. The first time I shot a 99 Savage and flicked the spent case out with two fingers, I was hooked. The trade off was the handy exposed hammer(Safety) on the 94. It was much faster and positioned better than the Savage lever safety. As far as a HUNTING bolt action goes, it is hard to beat the Arisaka safety once you get used to it. I have jumped a lot of deer and dropped them with a snap shot. I have two that are still my "Go to" rifles for walking around deer hunting. I have had .303 Brits for hunting, and they were accurate, but I just never felt comfortable with the safety location. I guess it is an individual thing.

May 22, 2016, 02:46 PM	#30
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,824	British Lee Enfield actually has 2 safeties; the lever on the left, or the half cock on the bolt. The safety on arisaka really needs some getting used to. You can't use your palm if a scope is mounted. It is operated by friction. It may be a problem if your hand is wet, and / or the mechanism is dirty inside. -TL

May 23, 2016, 04:03 AM	#31
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	I use my thumb, and don't hunt with a dirty rifle. Been out in freezing rain with no problems.

May 23, 2016, 03:08 PM	#32
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	My experience with younger and inexperienced shooters is that a safety mounted on the right side of the bolt and is a little stiff requires them to take their finger off the trigger.