I'm with Ray, the 3 pos mdl 70 style is the way to go. I've got the 3 pos side saftey on my CZ and the throw is so short and it doesnt click in place with enough force for me, its hard to tell where it is on mine. Thought about stronger spring, but will go to mdl 70 style one of these days.

As far as the safety on the left, wouldnt work for me, my thumb has whacked me in the nose more than once when I had that B&L Balvar scope with not much eye relief on my 375. Got a Scope with longer relief now.

I dont have to much of a problem with the tang safety if its good and stiff, but those side safetys like the 700 look to me like they could hang pretty easy, maybe its just me. The only side safety I like is the wby and the interarms. The WBy has to flip 90 degrees and the interarms is low stiff for the most part and not as prone to hang on things.

As Eric says it is a matter of training and what you are used to. Having grown up with an F.N, FAL and lately an M16 as the rifles I use most I like the safety on my rifles to push down on the left side of the action.

That said, however, I find the ambedextous nature of the M70 useful in thick bush. (I have been playing with a new Damulon rifle with such a safety) but would still prefer it on the left side. At the end of the day will probably fit a mauser wing safety or 1950's Bruno one to the rifle, just to keep things uniform.

Ray is right about the FN 300 safety being tight against the scope bell when applied. The solution is to bend the tip of the lever out. Actually, I find it easier to cut the tip of the safety lever off and weld a new piece on. Dave

Just which big bore rifles are made today with the safety on the left side? Not any that I know of in a price range I can afford. And who makes an aftermarket left side safety for a CZ or Model 70? Sounds sort of like spending a lot of money to have your stick shift on that Ferrari moved to your left hand because you learned to drive in England.

No one that I know of, currently makes a big bore rifle with a left side safety. The left side safety I referred to is the FN 300, made about '52 to '56. This safety was designed for an iron sighted rifle used by a right handed shooter. When shouldering the rifle, the thumb flicks the safety off as it comes down to complete the grip on the wrist of the rifle. In my opinion, this is the quickest firing pin retracting safeties made. No, your not going to find an inexpensive aftermarket part to put this type of safety on a Model 70 or CZ, there's no demand. Installing one of these safeties on a Mauser is a different story. A proper installation is not quite the drop in that some people think it is. Adjusting the fit and function of the relateted parts is a bit of work, but not too bad. The speedlocked Interarms are a bit more work. I have to add, when working on safeties and triggers, if you don't know completly and in depth what you are doing, hire a pro.

When building a custom rifle, one must balance the pocket book with all of the fantastic desires, unless your inpossibly rich. Case in point, 458 Win, Mk 10 barreled action, plastic stock, ghost ring rear, sourdough front, FN 300 safety. Under $1000.00 about 10 years ago.

Dave