Whitworth Mauser Safety

16 October 2016, 10:00

Colin Masters

The Whitworth safety is weird, and I'd like to fix it. What is the best solution? I'd like a m70 three position safety. What becomes of the stock inletting from the sliding safety? Does the wood look off because of the change? Rifle will be scoped.

Any of this work will be looked after a qualified gunsmith.

16 October 2016, 18:58

jeffeosso

it is a slide safety, which is more or less the same as the timney - you can add a 3 position safety - dakota, gentry, etc, and replace the trigger -- it would be a lawsuit in waiting, but do able, if you want to alter the safety on the trigger to remove the sear interrupt in favor of a bolt shroud 3 pos sear interrupt

16 October 2016, 19:00

Jim Kobe

You will have a gap that needs to be filled. I have done this but with mixed results, some too dark, some too light. It is hard to match the color.

16 October 2016, 21:07

ramrod340

quote:
I have done this but with mixed results, some too dark, some too light. It is hard to match the color

+1 Unless you have a piece of the actual wood that made the stock it will show. Heck even from the same wood it will show. Just how much depends on the wood and the person doing the repair. Heck sometimes contrast looks better. Your call.

As Jeff said any number of people make a 3 position. I've swapped triggers or if I was happy with the trigger simply removed the safety lever and used the shroud.

21 October 2016, 03:51

Atkinson

I have saved a bit of wood from every stock Ive built for just that purpose, repairs! I figure since its a factory stock, Id just patch it up and call it good..Id replace the trigger and add a mod. 70 3 pos. safety by Gentry or whoever, they are all good..As to triggers I like the new mod. 70 safety for Mausers that Brownells is selling, they are expensive but I am a big fan of the mod. 70 safety and trigger.

22 October 2016, 01:45

Colin Masters

Thank you for the info. The brownells trigger is back ordered, but I'll find another if it doesn't become stocked again.

Does anyone have any experience with the left side safety on right hand Mausers? It seems like it is a lot more natural in its movement.

22 October 2016, 02:06

458Win

Colin, When I built my 458 on a Mk X bbl action 34 years ago I kept the original all steel trigger as it is a good one and first using a winged safetys on the left side as I also felt like it was more natural for a right handed user. But because I also used other rifles with the safety on the right hand side I found that sometimes I bobbled a quick shot by having to search for the safety. After missing a chance to put a wounded bear down as he was running into thick brush I put one back on the right side and if you are holding the rifle with the left side partially down the right side safety is still pretty much under your thumb.

22 October 2016, 19:04

Colin Masters

Thanks for the info. I think I will be really happy once I get this sorted out.

22 October 2016, 20:09

Charles_Helm

I had two-position but Winchester-style safeties from Jim Kobe put on my Whitworth Safari Express and Alaskan. On the Safari, the gunsmith filled the area from the old safety with epoxy in black. Looked okay to me but I don't have a picture. We put a McMillan stock on the Alaskan and it was not cut there yet so nothing to fill. That one has had a three-position added in place of the two-position and been restocked in walnut as part of a complete overhaul by AHR.

22 October 2016, 20:16

chuck375

I don't have a Whitworth, but Wayne at AHR replaced the CZ 550 two position safety with an M70 type 3 pos safety which I like a lot.

23 October 2016, 02:27

Colin Masters

That's a beautiful rifle. I think his fiberglass stocks are the best shaped in the business. Is the CZ action similar to the Interarms? Does AHR stock rifles that are not CZ or Winchester?

23 October 2016, 03:18

Charles_Helm

quote:
Originally posted by Colin Masters:
That's a beautiful rifle. I think his fiberglass stocks are the best shaped in the business. Is the CZ action similar to the Interarms? Does AHR stock rifles that are not CZ or Winchester?

CZ 550 is not the same as the Interarms, but AHR recently restocked a Mark X for me as part of the overhaul mentioned above.

23 October 2016, 03:31

chuck375

quote:
Originally posted by Colin Masters:
That's a beautiful rifle. I think his fiberglass stocks are the best shaped in the business. Is the CZ action similar to the Interarms? Does AHR stock rifles that are not CZ or Winchester?

Thanks Colin, figured they were different, if I could've found an Interams in 375 H&H I would've bought it and my shoulder would be much the better for it. Best of luck with your rifle! Wayne at AHR does great work.

23 October 2016, 16:09

xausa

quote:
Originally posted by 458Win:
Colin, When I built my 458 on a Mk X bbl action 34 years ago I kept the original all steel trigger as it is a good one and first using a winged safetys on the left side as I also felt like it was more natural for a right handed user. But because I also used other rifles with the safety on the right hand side I found that sometimes I bobbled a quick shot by having to search for the safety. After missing a chance to put a wounded bear down as he was running into thick brush I put one back on the right side and if you are holding the rifle with the left side partially down the right side safety is still pretty much under your thumb.

Phil,

I have a safety like yours on a Mauser action .404 Jeffery. I have never liked it because (1) it is a two position safety and affords no way of unloading with the safety still engaged and (2) it appears to me to be a great deal more open to the weather, specifically moisture, than the Model 70 version.

As someone who hunts in an area especially subject to a moisture problem, would you care to comment?

23 October 2016, 19:35

Jim Kobe

quote:
Originally posted by xausa:
quote:
Originally posted by 458Win:
Colin, When I built my 458 on a Mk X bbl action 34 years ago I kept the original all steel trigger as it is a good one and first using a winged safetys on the left side as I also felt like it was more natural for a right handed user. But because I also used other rifles with the safety on the right hand side I found that sometimes I bobbled a quick shot by having to search for the safety. After missing a chance to put a wounded bear down as he was running into thick brush I put one back on the right side and if you are holding the rifle with the left side partially down the right side safety is still pretty much under your thumb.

Phil,

I have a safety like yours on a Mauser action .404 Jeffery. I have never liked it because (1) it is a two position safety and affords no way of unloading with the safety still engaged and (2) it appears to me to be a great deal more open to the weather, specifically moisture, than the Model 70 version.

As someone who hunts in an area especially subject to a moisture problem, would you care to comment?

I have modified, on request, one of my two position ones so that the safety can remain engaged when opening the bolt on a live round; but then, it won't lock the bolt down when on safe.

23 October 2016, 22:31

458Win

On a DG rifle, and most others for that matter, I am a firm believer in the KISS principle and I see no real need for a half-safe position. When I am pushing the safety off I want it off and not somewhere half way in between.
And as for the moisture issue, when it's raining in Alaska everything is wet, whether it is under a 1/16th of an inch gap or a 1/8th of an inch gap !

IT'S A MAUSER !

25 October 2016, 00:23

Rick R

I had Kobe put a "Flag" safety on my Whitworth. It has a receiver sight mounted over the rear bridge and a Mauser style safety just seemed right. Jim had to deal with fitting it to the speed lock bolt but had it done and returned to me in less than a week the majority of which it was riding around in a Big Brown Truck to and from.

Probably only an option if you're not planning on using a scope and used to Mauser safeties.