I'm working on an FN Mauser project and I've decided on a 3-position safety. The 2-position Chapman that is on it now doesn't work for me, aesthetically or functionally.
I have have 2 custom FNs with Dakota safeties, but I wonder what else might be out there.

I like the Wisner ones that I have on a couple of my rifles - but an not sure if Jim still makes them.

Check out Satterlee Arms. Stewart makes has some excellent options.

Von Gruff.

LaPour seems to be a favorite here....I use the Dakota three-pos safetys but occasionally have trouble getting them to work!

quote:

I use the Dakota three-pos safetys but occasionally have trouble getting them to work!

I didn't have any trouble with mine unless you consider 3-4 hours of fitting, trouble. I did!

quote:

Check out Satterlee Arms. Stewart makes has some excellent options.

I second this, have one of his left sided models on a Mex Mauser and love it.

I do have a LaPour on a barreled action that I haven't stocked, but I don't think it compares, as it is for an Enfield.
Where can I see the Satterlee?

I have had three Wisners, still have two and these are my favourite, due to superb finish and elegant styling.

I have two Lapours, the later model not as nice as the first, but, well done and functional.

I have a Satterlee, very well suited to a larger rifle, but, somewhat overpowers the little Brno 21/22 action I intended it for.

Jim Wisner no longer makes these and that is a shame as he is a hell of a smith and his stuff was/is just awesome, about perfect.

I have two Dakotas, for and on Dakota rifles, but, while they are "OK", I prefer the others. I am going to get Recknagels for my final projects as I am very happy with the parts I have obtained from them thus far.

Satterlee's ARE pretty neat and certainly look authentic on a Mauser.

Slancy:

Go with an Ed LaPour. Then have Dave Norin in Waukegan install it for you.

He has done two for me. Very pleased.

RCG

I believe Ed Lapour's safety is the Wisner model; he bought the tooling from Jim.

The NECG (Recknagel) is a nice model if you like something a bit smaller. It comes two ways; plain or with a tiny lock lever on the swing lever. That is a PIA on a DG gun because you have to consciously depress the lever on the lever to swing the lever. Whew!

I like all of them, including Satterlee's right hand/left side lever.

have a 2 pos. Chapman and a 3 pos. Satterlee on Mausers and surely the Satterlee by Stuart is one nice safety and the Chapman both works very well and is fitted perfectly by Jim Kobe.

The ERA-Recknagel has good proportions and extra finishing touches that (I feel) make a difference to the makeup of a quality rig.
ie; has a machine tapped retaining screw, rather than a cheap pin....plus its not as featureless-slab sided as most others.
If you bought the version with the leverlock function(as seen below), you could very easily de-activate that function, IF it bugged you.

Seems there have been some rather significant price increases for some of these safeties lately!

I've used more of the Dakota models than any other brand but I'm really partial to the Satterlee I just had done on M98 Mexican .260 It looks almost like the original except for the lever.


Here is a Gentry. I had them install it and it works great. I've heard some install horror stories though.


I've had more Dakota's installed than any other brand. they work great and look good.



Most of the negatives you'll hear about the majority of these 3-position safeties have to do with the install. All of mine now properly installed work about the same.

Terry

What Terry said. The major difference I've noticed is the outside shape, some just look better than others but they all install & fitup about the same.
Regards, Joe

Ed's safties are very finely made, but also require the most work to fit them. I am not fond of the lines of the safety, but that is a Ford vs. Chevy thing. Make no mistake about it-these are finely made pieces of equipment.

Have tried to buy a safety from Stuart several times, as I think his "Mauser" style safties have the most pleasing lines to my eye. I have never talked to him when they were in stock, so for me they have been vaporware for 2 years now. Maybe I can get one some day.

I really love the lines of the Dakotas and have used them with good success in the past. BUT... Dakota accessories quality has totally gone to garbage over the past couple of years. Now even their grip caps are made and shipped with huge inperfections that make them unsuable. Last safety I tried to fit was so far out it was physically impossible to use. Wasted money and a hell of a lot of wasted time. Will never use another Dakota safety.It is a pity, as agin, I really LOVE the lines fo the Dakota. But if it is physically impossible to make it work, then what good does cool lines do you? I used to defend them and assume others did not really understand everything involved in making a M70 safety work, but I now have first hand experience that mirrors what i have read and heard from others. I had to eat crow on that one.

Have used Gentrys on M700's and they all work fine. Did have to money with them some to get everything honky-dory, but in the end all worked well.

Will try Reckenagle next time.

It sounds like Dakota is out, Satterlee is an aparition, and Wisner/LaPour is the way to go.
I once heard of a safety made by Hansen from Norway. Any idea what that one is like?

Of late I have had quite a few problems with both Dakota & Gentry safeties. These were machining related as received. I would pass on either and use a two position Wisner safety instead.

Sateerlee's is a very nice unit that I wish was more available.

The Recknagel is another nice unit that I believe is midway between the Lapour and Sateerlee.

The Lapour safety is a very nice unit and fitting is no more difficult than any of the other brands.

For appearance, I like the Dakota. Also the old Jantz but they are hard to find.

Ditto on the Dakota.

Always thought the Jantz 2-pos. had the most class with the fine-line checkered safety and the blind pivot hole. Also I think they were $45. before he changed to selling knife supplies.
Bob

Well, I guess I'll make some more. Those of you who want one and have not PM'd me, please do so.
I need a head count to make sure there is enough to go around and nobody gets left out.
Thanks,
Stuart

would you do it for a LH CZ?

Tinman, how long a wait are we talking about. Could someone post a picture of the right hand safety you make.

srtrax,

there're a couple of pictures on stu satterlee's webpage



I've got three of his LH version of this safety. They're pretty damn fine. Still hoping for my lefty safety for the mini Mauser sometime soon. Then I'll be all set.


cheers,
- stu c

Thanks, that is a good looking safe, but then all the work I have seen of his has been nice. I like the fact it doesnt have a big ol' slab side on the lever area. Shame they are not always on hand to purchase!!!

Anybody recall the Raybourn 3-position safety?

I wonder if they are still available.

I recall the Rayborn safety. Jasper was his first name. When he quit being an active gunmaker he sold that business to a guy by the name of Joseph Zufall out of Colorado. I am not sure if Mr. Zufall makes them anymore or not.

Yes, Joe Zufalls safeties were superbly made, not seen anything much as good in 20yrs.
IIRC, they cost me as much back then, as any shroud does now.

quote:

Originally posted by jsl3170:
would you do it for a LH CZ?

Doesn't AHR make safeties for CZ rifles?

yes, but wondering if stuart makes one that would fit the 550.

With safties and shrouds..unfortunately one size does not fit all. Sometimes Gentry is a "drop in" but I've thrown two away.

Ed La Pour found early on that there were at least "sub species".. He makes two sizes..best to send him the bolt and he can pick and choose.

Doing this, you'll get a perfect product. While I've not used the Satterlee, I sure he did his home work.

Duane.

There are more sub species than that, off hand I can think of four.

That is why Ed bought the Argentine 1909 that I had, it has the smallest threads I ever saw in any bolt.

James Wisner
Custom Metalsmith

I have a Husqy HVA in 7x57 with a Brown kevlar stock and had a safety that Jim made about 1991 installed; this is a very light rifle that shoots 140NPs into "bugholes" and I have shot quite a few deer with it as it just "rocks" for coastal Balcktails, my favourite deer to hunt.

So, I am wondering now, given that nobody seems to make HVA-specific safeties of this type, can anyone here tell me IF a Mauser 98 one would fit and, if so, WHICH maker's version would fit best?

I will get Ralf to install it, or, Bill Leeper, depending on who is how busy, but, I would like to start with the best possible item for the task.

BTW, on the Lapour safeties, I have TWO and one is identical to the last Wisner I have and would NOT trade for it's weight in gold...after using these for 18 years in wet B.C., I know quality when I see it. However, the other is identical to that currently depicted on Ed's website and my buddy bought then both directly from him. So, that is why I think that there were/are two types/styles made by Ed.

Hey Dewey, look at the last picture in my 1st post on this thread. That's a Husky HVA 1640 action. The safety notched rear tang was modified VIA my table sander and bolt handle replaced so it doesn't really look like a Husky anymore, but it is. It sports a Dakota 3-position safety on it.

Terry

The HVA improved actions has the thread pitch, about .010" larger in diameter as well as being .015" differnet in lengthwise positioning of the thread. Also the spring hole for the sleeve lock is a differnet depth than the 98.

Yes a 98 safety can be fit to a HVA, but you may have to alter the firing pin and live with the slop in the threads.

May be a good use of those Dakota, and Gentry safeties with the thread timing issues, I keep hearing about.

James Wisner
Custom Metalsmith

Timan- PM sent. dcdone

Got it.
Thanks dcdone,
Timan