I'm not mistaken that manual cocking and being able to carry a cartridge in the chamber with the rifle uncocked is a regulatory requirement for newer rifles sold in Europe, correct? I can easily see how this is safer than traditional bolt action rifles, and I can even see how it could be an advantage in some stalking situations, but what do those of you with actual experience think of this feature? Which bolt rifles now have manual cocking (I mean, besides the Blaser R93, which I won't even consider)?

Infosponge

I have never heard of such requirement? I think there is prankster who told you. Which country was it?

Cheers
/ JOHAN

I have not heard of it either...

Regards,

Pete

It is no official regulation.
But it is the new way and it is more safe. And a round in the chamber do have everybody. No matter at stalking nor on the high seat.
I have changed my Mauser 98 to manual cocking.

Best regards

No legal obligation, but a trend in new developments. The idea came up in Germany a few decades ago whith manual cocking kits being offered for the K98 (ditto Sauenj�ger). My first exposure came with Blaser and it's easy to get used to it. Not only is the rifle totally safe to carry with a round chambered (decocked mechanism as opposed to regular safety) but it is the only system I'm really comfortable with for climbing the ladder of a high seat after having stalked underway. With my other rifles, I eject the loaded ctg. before doing so, trying to keep down metallic sound as game might be bedded close by. Readying to fire is the same as with a regular safety, only more silent.

I just can agree to what Andre stated. It is not prescribed by law in any place known to me but especially for someone starting to handle firearms in public places (i.e. hunting) it is really a great invention. You are completely safe and still always ready to fire. The effort it takes to cock is the same than disengaging a safety. The difference is that it is safer and less noisy.

My compliments to the Blaser engineers for this great invention and their nice rifles.

I have been using my Blaser R 93 for about 4 years, and just recently got a K 95. I like the "cocking" feature. The rifle is perfectly save with a round in the chamber and the cocking is quieter than most safetys.

In the Blaser double rifles and drillings I wish the rifle would stay cocked after firing while you reloaded. This is the method Krieghoff uses on their double rifles and I like it better.

However once you used the Blaser S2 Safari double and learned the system it would not be a problem.

I have never heard of such requirement? I think there is prankster who told you.

You may be right -- I got that impression from some rifle manufacturer's marketing literature. The Mauser M03 brochure states "Current safety requirements stipulate that hunting rifles must be carried uncocked." Ok, my mistake -- not a legal requirement, but just more popular in Europe than in the US.

DJM : when uncocked, the firing pin is retracted and cannot reach the primer.
Carcano : the Sauer 202 is of the classic pattern, no manual cocking.
Infosponge : incorrect translation from German ; "trend" would have been more appropriate than "requirement".

Could you give me some more information on the M98 conversion kits? Do they end up looking and functioning just the same as factory built manual cocking -- i.e., much like a normal safety?

Only in German language:
http://www.djz.de/artikelbeitrag/artikelbeitrag_20255.html

As said above I use it.
And as Carcano said, it is like a ball pen.

When the button is in the not cocked position the chamber is locked. To unload you have to press the cocking button a bit. Then you can open. Like the new Mauser 03.

When pushing the cocking button forward, there is no noise.

The gun stays cocked as long as the button is not pressed again and stays in the cocked position. In this position he stays also, when you have shot an repeat then. So you can use as usual your Mauser.

Wieland Niesser does not modify something in the chamber, he is just changing some parts. So you always can go back to the "normal" Mauser system.
The costs are 170 Euro.

Best regards

Very nice, and not too ugly. Can this be done with a 3-way, horizontal M70-style safety as well as vertical M98 safety?

This you have to ask himself.
I will send you the phone number by messenger.

BR

Tell you something: I most definitely distrust those gadgets!

Gimme a 98 or Win 70 ( or Ruger or CZ ) with something simply blocking the firing pin mechanically!!

No firing pin to control at "uncocking", no question if it touches the primer, just a piece of fitted steel which reaches into another piece of steel! O.K., spring stays locked, but I don�t hunt 24 hours/7 days a a week/365 days per year...

KISS still applies

Keep on shootin� Hermann