I would like to read accurate information comparing the three-position Mod 70 style safeties available for the '98 Mauser. The safeties that I have, or I'm somewhat familiar with are as follows: Gentry, Dakota, NECG, and Lapour. There may be others, so please discuss them too. Probably to stay relevant, it may be best to discuss only those currently available.
I have heard various statements, such as all but Lapour are not heat treated/hardened - that the first three mentioned above are soft metal. I have heard that LaPour "broaches" (whatever that means) the hole for the firing pin differently compared to the others.
So, I want to know the facts about features of these safeties that should really influence my decision of which one to buy for a nice custom '98 project.
Quality is definately a factor, but to the uninformed they all look very good indeed. Price may be a factor, but I don't know for sure. I suppose it depends on whether you get what you pay for - something special that the less expensive version doesn't have. As far as I know, when available, for example the Dakota can be bought for about $120, and the Lapour is about $220. I'm sure the Lapour is great, but is it an additional $100 great?

Thanks in advance.
KB

Stu Satterlee makes a couple of different safeties for the 98 Mauser. One has the lever on the right side like most others, and one has the lever on the left side for those who prefer that way. The quality is excellent. They are $200 installed. since they are the same safeties that Stu uses on the actions that he manufactures, I would imagine that with regard to heat treatment they are treated the same as those used on his own actions.

http://www.satterleearms.com/gunsmithing.htm

quote:

the Dakota can be bought for about $120

I fitted a Dakota to one of my Mausers and it was a lot of work when you don't have a mill. You have to mill a half-moon cut in the rear of the bolt in order to put it in the third (safe and locked) position. $220 for the LaPour may very well include fitting it to your bolt. The only way to find out is to call him.
For about $95 and your bolt sleeve. Jim Kobe will make you a 2-position safety that only requires that you grind a flat on your cocking piece to accomodate the shaft of the safety wing. Of course, all you get is safe and locked or fire with that one. I have one of those also and it is very well done and easy to install.

I did call Lapour, and no the price does not include fitting to your bolt. That's the price for the safety assembly, then it has to be fitted.

I just don't care for the two-position safeties. Otherwise I would buy a Remington, or Vanguard, or Savage, etc.

Anyone - anyone - care to address the original questions presented in this discussion?
KB

Ed Lapour has done a lot of work for me. He's excellent, a member of the American Custom Gunsmith Guild, and truly understands the need for reliability in your rifle. His rate is fair, too.

La Pour's indeed are fine...lot of work! I really like the Recknagel safeties offered by NECG...not quite as "zoomy" but are nice, tight, require a little fitting in some cases

You didn't mention Wisner, who also makes M-70 safeties. I have one of his on a Springfield '03 and a Dakota safety on a Mauser '98. Both work just fine and the gunsmith who installed them didn't complain about either one.

Jim WIsner no longer does these; he sold his inventory and rights to Ed Lapour.

I just got done fitting one of Ed's to a CZ550 in 416 Rigby. It took a little time to do but the instructions that came with it were clear and I encountered no problems that I didn't cause myself.

I have done a bunch of his safeties including right and left hand for Remingtons and Sakos. I woudl consider them to be a great piece of work. I have done the Gentry's (2) but swore I would never do another as I think they are poorly engineered and a poor example of the metalworker's art. I put the Dakota in the same boat.

Ed is a great guy to work with.

I also think very highly of Ed Lapour, and his work and his safeties. Even to the barely informed, like me, his safeties appear to be special.

I have had several safeties installed, but not yet a Lapour, but I'm considering two, maybe more. I encountered only one problem or complaint from gunsmiths so far, and that smith didn't know what he was doing. Apparantly it was his first 3-P safety, and it was a speed lock bolt, which got him very confused, especially when he ruined the original cocking piece, and then discovered the replacement piece (non-speedlock) wouldn't work either. I actually felt badly for him. Not a peep out of the others regarding difficulty or quality of the safety, including Gentry and Dakota, and NECG.

Thanks Duane, Jim, and all for the comments. That's helpful in making my decision.

I'm wondering still about the value of the heat treatment - hardning, or if there really is a difference. And I'm wondering if it makes a difference in longevity - not that I've worn out a three position safety. But just curious.

I'm also still wondering about the way the center hole is cut for the firing pin. Is there a difference in the way the various Mfg do it, (and end result) compared to Lapour?

And any other differences? Specifically.

There was mention of The NECG. I have two of those safeties, yet uninstalled, and they look very good and tight, but I have no way of telling if they are hardened or otherwise special. This weekend I'm going to take a close look at them and compare under good light.

Any other comments, or information is appreciated.

KB

I have used all but the Lapour and found the Dakota is by far the best for the money. Easy to install and fit..sometimes I hit it on the first try. The Dakota can be installed with a dremel tool if you are carful but a mill to drill the half hole is best.

Regards Doug

I also had a hell of a time deciding on a Safe for a prject i have going. I went with LaPour"s. I know nothing about the hardness, but it is a nice safe! E-mail him, he helped me with my questions!

It's tough on a guy with so many choices.

srtrax,
I can assume that you have never worked for city hall, or you would know that what you feel, doesn't matter, and if you say what you feel, somebody will surely take exception, and sooner or later that will become what matters.

However, everything on the playing field changes if you are a woman. Then obviously what you feel matters a great deal, as it should to everyone around you.

quote:

srtrax,
I can assume that you have never worked for city hall, or you would know that what you feel, doesn't matter, and if you say what you feel, somebody will surely take exception, and sooner or later that will become what matters.

Never have worked there, but have visited several times, and what was said cant be repeated...