Are there currently any options for a model 70 style safety for an Enfield? In fact are there any options at all for something other than the big ugly safety they were made with?

Ed LaPour makes one: http://edlapourgunsmithing.com...on-safeties/enfield/

quote:

Originally posted by xausa:
Ed LaPour makes one: http://edlapourgunsmithing.com...on-safeties/enfield/

Not any more!

He has not made them for years; and right at that time I milled off one and built the rifle, only to find that they are not available. So now I have one with no safety. Safeties are over rated anyway.
No demand because the original safety is so good.

The original safety is excellent. It locks the bolt down. IT also serves as a safety 3rd locking lug. Fancy up the lever and enjoy it.

In theory you could put a Long Lee or the commercial variant of it Lee Speed safety (that's mounted on the rear of the bolt) on any Enfield? But why? I lived with the excellent SMLE and No4 safety from sixteen to fifty-six...that's forty years of use.

He means a 1917 Enfield.

Thanks for the responses. I spoke with Ed LaPour and he said he may make some of his safeties in June. Even though very functional, I can't stand the look of the original safety. I'll scrap the project if I can't find something to replace the safety!

If you put on a three position side swing safety do you have to go cock on opening or is that a separate step?

I like the way my P14 C&H cycles with cock on close.

That would be another mod; one which I never could fathom; the cock on closing system is not broken. It is just the American shooters who do not understand it, who want cock on opening.
And the way it cocks has no bearing on the safety, one, two, or three position.

The LaPour safety comes with a cocking piece that converts it to cock on open which I much prefer.

Didn't know that. But I do know that the bolt retracting cam on a 1917 bolt is shallow and that will give you a relatively short (.2 inch) firing pin fall.
The extra power spring then makes it harder to open; no free lunch.
Still nothing wrong with cock on closing.

Cock on closing is very quick. Arguably quicker than cock on opening.

It was reported that during the first WW soldiers were so fast with cycling the SMLE that the enemy thought they were facing slow cycling machine guns. Sadly my Grandfather is long gone so I can’t ask him.

Not that I mind my Model 70’s or Mauser actions.

Having started out with an M93 Mauser as a kid and still owning a couple M96 Mausers I never felt that cock on closing was any particular disadvantage. I have an M1917 Remington Enfield made around October 1918 and sporterized I would guess in the 1920's it retains the original trigger, safety and cock on closing feature. All of which I like but that's because I'm already in tune with it. I've mentioned it here before my desire to make it into a kind of low budget bigbore that still keeps the original parts. I just haven't got around to it yet.

I can however understand that others are not as satisfied with these features and want something more familiar to them. So I can see the need to convert a 1917 to look and function the way that makes them happy. An entire industry way back when was built around making the supposedly inferior 1917 Enfield to function like a supposedly superior 03 Springfield. To each his own.

I know this doesn't answer the parts question regarding the safety. I'm just glad that today we see the M1917 as the great rifle it really is and the potential it has regardless of how it functions.

I've never been fond of cock on closing either, but debate is nothing more than that. The last Enfield I did, I made cock on open the old fashioned way..cut a new deeper cocking notch...DCPD is right about the shorter falls...Seems to me the accepted "rule" was a minimum of .300 for reliable ignition.

At some short fall, a stronger spring doesn't do much..just no inertia. You almost never hear of a 98 with erratic ignition

If I remember right, I modified and used a M-70 bolt sleeve

Back when I had more time then money. Well still no money but no time either.
http://forums.accuratereloadin...941086751#5941086751

Having two 1917 Enfields (a 404 J and a 35 Whelen):

1) Factory mag setup great for 35, holds 6 down unmodified; 404 holds 4 down easy, but has room for 5 with correct mag.

2) Original factory safety is fantastic! Ugly, but fantastic. It mechanically engages into the cocking piece, versus merely blocking it, to keep it on safe.

3) One mistake I made on both rifles - converted to cock on open! Leave cock on close!

Very nice work Don Markey. I wish I had that kind of skill. Could you give me some pointers on how you prepped the bolt root and new handle?

LaPour should be back up and running later this year with bolt shrouds, however I do not know about when Enfield safeties will be available again.

quote:

Originally posted by coues man:
Very nice work Don Markey. I wish I had that kind of skill. Could you give me some pointers on how you prepped the bolt root and new handle?

Only other pic I could find. I could dig it out though as it still isn’t finished.

That gives me enough of an idea how to prep it..thanks!

I was raised on '17 Enfields.
Have four of 'em now, all different cartridges.

The safety is the best I've ever
found on any rifle. That's as fool
proof and easy for everyone that knows
to see where it's set. Slick and fast
to flip it off on the way up.

As for the cock on closing, just takes some
getting used to. I have two of each and no
problem using either.

I happen to like the dogleg bolt too. Just
can't understand anyone changing them. IF
you don't like things the way they are on a
'17. Get some other brand of gun that you
like better.

IF any of you have made the safety change and
still have those parts. I'd like to get a set for the last action I have left where they are missing.

George

quote:

Originally posted by georgeld:
I was raised on '17 Enfields.
Have four of 'em now, all different cartridges.

The safety is the best I've ever
found on any rifle. That's as fool
proof and easy for everyone that knows
to see where it's set. Slick and fast
to flip it off on the way up.

As for the cock on closing, just takes some
getting used to. I have two of each and no
problem using either.

I happen to like the dogleg bolt too. Just
can't understand anyone changing them. IF
you don't like things the way they are on a
'17. Get some other brand of gun that you
like better.

IF any of you have made the safety change and
still have those parts. I'd like to get a set for the last action I have left where they are missing.

George

Give me a shout with the mfr and I’ll see what I have and have several set of safety hardware. As for using a different action? I wouldn’t use an enfield for anything easily fit in a Mauser. I use them for their size.

Ive built some real big bores on the Rem. Enfield and others, including a long throated 338 for 300 gr. Accubonds..I like the hammer safety, you don't have to look for it..Cock on the closing does not suit me at all on a DG rifle I tend to push the whole gun forward and the gun tends to move around on me, so I always convert to cock on the opening like all the rest of my rifles..I suppose one could get used to it but I see no reason too..

George...I should have the OE safety parts for a 1917 in both a Remington and Winchester. I'll see if I can find them.

Thanks guys:

The action I have is a Winchester.
I need all five of the small pieces.

I have some extra parts too if you
need some I can get the box out and
check.

PM me, it's not very important at this
time but, always good to have all the
parts just in case.

George