Changing safeties on Mausers

R

Redlich

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Hi all,

I really like my short barreled '98 in 8x57 for brush and short range walking around, with the exception of the safety. It's the original wing type, although it's been modified to clear the scope. I find this style is slow and loud to engage and (more importantly) disengage in a hunting situation, or at least mine is as it takes a fair amount of force to pop back and forth.

I noticed that the timney deluxe sportsman aftermarket trigger has a trigger locking side safety on it. Would it be simple for a gunsmith to switch that out or would it take some more expensive modification to make the safety work? If someone does this would they have both safeties working together or is the bolt mounted safety somehow disengaged or removed? Finally, would the side mounted trigger safety also lock the bolt closed, and is this style of trigger mounted safety sufficiently safe in the event of drops etc?

Sorry for the bombardment of questions :) Any info would be much appreciated!

thanks,
Red
 
Well Rl; I've had the odd Mauser over the years and personally I like the military safety simply for the fact that it makes dismantling the bolt very simple. I do agree it can be somewhat problematic but when it's on safe it's quite "visible". I would buy the trigger with safety and install it but also keep the milirary wing. I have taken this path in the past and at this time I'm seriously considering making this "alteration" to my FN Supreme action. --- John303.
 
So I do have the option of installing the side safety and keeping the bolt wing at the same time, and using either/or?
 
Installing a Timney trigger with a side safety is usually pretty simple, but it may be best to have a gunsmith install it. Mausers were made all over the world with varying degrees of quality and tolerances. There could be problems with the cocking piece engaging the trigger.

The original safety could be left as is, but I install a commercial style bolt shroud whenever I install a trigger with a side safety.

The Timney triggers do not lock the bolt closed. Trigger blocking safeties are generally considered inferior to the original firing pin blocking safety on your mauser. Although I would think that as long as they are well constructed you shouldn't have a problem. Many guns use a trigger blocking safety.

I have used the Timney Buhler type safety on several of my rifles. It fits in place of your original safety and locks the bolt closed. I would recommend having this installed by a gunsmith as well because I have run into instances where the safety did not move the cocking piece far enough off the trigger. This could lead to a safety off discharge situation. There are several other variations of the original safety, including three position types similar to a Winchester M70. It depends on how much money a person wants to spend.
 
Thank you for your response JB, that was very informative! I was planning to have a gunsmith do any work that was required, but naturally the less modifications (and labour time) I need, the better. I like the idea of keeping the original safety and using a side safety in tandem. I prefer having the bolt locked when carrying the rifle with a sling, but I don't need that feature when the rifle is in my hands and I would prefer the faster and quieter thumb operation of the side safety.
 
I have had Dakota Model 70 style 3 position safeties installed on a couple of Mauser rifles. i like them a lot. Easier to operate with a scope than the original, positive locking of the bolt handle, or no locking if you prefer. And you don't have to modify the stock to install them. I think it is a better solution than a trigger block side safety. but that's just my opinion!
 
I've never used a mod 70 style safety in the field, just played with them a bit. How fast are they to move from the middle to fire positions? Compared to a side safety. As I mentioned this is something of a close range rifle, so a snap shot is always a possibility.
 
I have a Timney sportsman trigger with side safety on my mauser and it is excellent.

They are quiet to the off position, and easy to manipulate.

What hasn't been mentioned, is the trigger itself.

It is single stage, easily adjustable, no creep and I find I shoot better with it than the military ones.
 
Thanks for your input everyone, I'm going to give my gunsmith a call to discuss the options further now that I'm a little better educated :)
 
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