[oldgunsmith]

In the Feb. 10 issue of Shotgun News, page 24 in the "Ask the Gunsmith" column, Ried Coffield specifically says that a 98 Mauser sporter with a low scope safety should not fire if you "hold the trigger to the rear, and then release the safety". He gives a brief explanation with photos of how it works, which makes it quite clear that if you do that it is going to fire (if it's loaded). Surely what he means is if you squeeze the trigger then let off before you release the safety, it should not fire. In 25 years as a gunsmith instructor, every now and then I have to explain how typos, mis-spoken or confusing statements, poor wording, etc. can lead them astray. If something you read doesn't make sense, investigate it!