Excited that I found a really nice 308 Winchester in an Interarms Mannlicher configuration. Nice wood grain and an excellent bolt. Wondering if I can switch out for a 3 pos safety even though there is a gap for the 2 pos factory safety. It has the forward slightly sloping Monte Carlo which should work for one with a longer neck. In the bow floorplate release.

Basically needs to be cleaned and reblued and perhaps a good hand rubbed oil finish and a new recoil pad. A gift for my dad.

People do it all the time. Usually fit a piece in the gap. To me the area that is cut down for the top of the lever to clear the stock is more of an issue.

sorry a little more explanation please

cool rifle.
Sounds like maybe you need to take some wood off the stock to give the safety some swing room.
I would leave it alone...tj3006

I know what you are talking about; no need to remove the thumb safety. Or remove it and fill the space in with a piece of wood and stain it.
No wood needs to be removed for a 3 position safety. Ram means if there is wood cut DOWN as well as OUT for the thumb/trigger safety, then that might need filled. Should not be an issue though.