Greetings All,

What is the reasoning behind the conversion of the CZ 550 actions to the M70 three position style safety? Given the updated, North American directional factory safeties, is there an actual issue, or is it more of an aesthetic choice?

Thanks,
Bryce

aesthetic and functional if you are most familiar with the M70 style, as a lot of shooters are.

Three position also allows you to open and close the bolt with the rifle on safe, whereas with the CZ safety the bolt is either locked (on safe) or hot (off safe), no cycling the bolt unless the rifle is hot.

quote:

Originally posted by MileHighShooter:
aesthetic and functional if you are most familiar with the M70 style, as a lot of shooters are.

I personally think that one should try to have all of the safties on their DG rifles (if not all rifles) be of the same type, it just becomes automatic. There are too many birds that have gotten away from me because I was switching back and forth between Winchester and Remington shotguns on different days. A bird getting away and someone (including myself) getting stomped or chewed because of safety confusion are totally different scenarios.

Just a thought.

edit to add: When meaning the same safety I was referring to bolt rifles above. I don't know safties on DR's differe between models.

quote:

Originally posted by MileHighShooter:
aesthetic and functional if you are most familiar with the M70 style, as a lot of shooters are.

Depends on when your CZ was made; I have a CZ 550 in 9.3x62 that I bought about four years ago that has a three position side safety. Back is safe, bolt locked; middle is safe, bolt free, and forward is fire. Works well; though I agree that a Model 70 safety is an ideal replacement for the factory two position safety.

The reason I like it both on the M70 and Mauser is because the bolt safety will directly lock the firing pin. I trust that. The other type safety acts down under on the trigger or where the trigger engages the firing pin.

The Ruger is mounted on the bolt too, so all three of my rifle types have the same function, which as already pointed out, is desirable.

I would say looks has nothing to do with it.

I like mine (factory CZ), but I learned as a child that the easy way to empty the magazine on a bolt rifle is to open the floor plate and then work the bolt. I see no other reason to have a hinged floor plate. I have no preference, but would have a hard time justifying the $$$ to have them converted. Wayne at AHR does a super conversion. I have tried them at his shop, and they work great. IMHO it all in what you are used to. OM 70 guys obviously love them.

Rich

Exactly! Having the same style and position of the safety on all your rifles makes it all 2nd nature when working the guns in the heat of the moment.

So its a bit of a mix of both.

Thanks for all the replies.

because its a way to feed a gunsmith's kids? or a way to meet a rifle owner's desires

I think that most want the 3 position safety so they can open the bolt on safe or lock the bolt.

John

My CZ 550FS has a 3 position safety.

quote:

Originally posted by fourbore:
The reason I like it both on the M70 and Mauser is because the bolt safety will directly lock the firing pin. I trust that. The other type safety acts down under on the trigger or where the trigger engages the firing pin.

The Ruger is mounted on the bolt too, so all three of my rifle types have the same function, which as already pointed out, is desirable.

I would say looks has nothing to do with it.

As fourbore said, the M70 type mechanically blocks the firing pin with a stout piece of metal. If safety is engaged, this stout piece of metal would have to be broken off before the firing pin could travel forward to the primer. I think it is quit scary to rely on a trigger blocking safety especially if your trigger travel is adjusted down to a minimum. That few thousands of an inch sear engagement does not make for a very safe safety.

Life has somehow gone on quite well with two-position safeties. Why bother changing it?

Why change a good thing!!! Spend enough time with your rifle - the problem is in your mind. Not in the gun.

My understanding is that apart from the familiarity issue there have been functional concerns raised e.g. during Zim PH exams there were reports of the CZ safety being pushed onto safe when the bolt was being cycled back, putting the rifle temporarily out of action. I don't personally believe this is a significant issue but best be mindful of it in terms of your bolt manipulating technique. Also, as a matter of interest I believ the CZ safety is a trigger and firing pin blocker (I think Tom Burgess made the point years ago, and he was favourably disposed to the CZ550 safety setup)
Charlie.

Yes, there is an actual issue of a safety's "safety". The Ruger M77 is the "safest" of all safetys, it bocks the firing pin and the trigger.

Mauser flag made to work like a side-flapping wing - and thereby perfected.

Just the best there is and nothing else or less.

I am easy to satisfy - just give me the best.

Bolt handle Up = safety On
Bolt handle down = safety oFF
Nothing mechanically simpler or more failure/foolprooF.
..but if you like novelties get an 3pos.

I often find myself going against the flow. Unlike many, the safety on my M70 is the one detail of this fine rifle that I find the hardest to love, try as I might. The other rifles I use the most have Timney triggers with side safeties. While I would have been more comfortable with a firing pin blocking safety, I have never encountered anything untoward with the Timneys. With my M70, on the other hand, I left a shiny new handloaded 30-06 round in the red African dirt of the Limpopo. I looked at my rifle, and the bolt was back, chamber empty, and safety at half mast. The bush had taken hold of the safety and put it in the middle position, and then lifted the bolt. I started checking my rifle a lot more often after that.

Also, I find a sliding-type side safety easier to manipulate in a big hurry. If anybody sells a CZ-style safety for my M70 rifle for moderate cost, please PM me, you have a customer.

Any suggestions as to who might make a 3 position safety conversion for the CZ?

quote:

Originally posted by CaptMike:
Any suggestions as to who might make a 3 position safety conversion for the CZ?

AHR does. I believe there may be others as well. LaPour maybe?

Edit: LaPour link.

quote:

Any suggestions as to who might make a 3 position safety conversion for the CZ?

AHR rules! Excellent product, CZ is a specialty for them.

http://www.hunting-rifles.com/index.htm

I like them because they look good. The safety it came with worked fine and as long as it rolls forward it matches some of my other weapons. But it was pretty damn ugly.

quote:

Originally posted by CaptMike:
Any suggestions as to who might make a 3 position safety conversion for the CZ?

I just got two CZ's (550 Amer 9.3 X 62 & 550 Amer Safari Magnum .458 Lott) and either the manual or their website stated they (CZ) had available an optional 3-pos safety. Probably has to be special order, like the standard trigger offered in lieu of the SST.

Thanks for the replies guys!