Thread: Sako 75 halfcock

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

The fact that European rifles including UK, have a heavy half open bolt position compared to American suggests to me that the Euro manufacturers intended for their firearms to be used that way - and that is what their customers wanted. A lot of US hunting has been done from stands where having one up the spout and safety applied is fine. Most of the Euro firearms that have come to NZ come from countries that don't hunt from stands. In NZ the Mountain Safety Council taught me ' Use a half open bolt or action only when in a state of semi-readiness'. To me a half open bolt with thumb and fore-finger holding the bolt in a positive grip is the safe position before moving to bolt closed and safety on (or not).
One position is probably no safer than the other from a mechanical point, but with the half open bolt I have positive contact with the bolt at all times and know the gun cant fire whereas with the safety on I have to look at it or move my thumb to physically check it is on. Learning to load and unload silently and carrying a rifle with an empty chamber is the safest of the lot with a Bolt action IMO.

Ask Euro gun makers that question and you'll find the answer isn't what you were thinking.