Thread: Sako 75 halfcock

Originally Posted by stagstalker

Everyone is getting hung up on the safety vs half bolt argument... Thats not what the post is about. If you can have both at the same time and double the level of security isn't that a good thing? Thats what the post is asking.. of which the answer has already been mentioned in that I am pretty sure the safety can be applied on a Sako 75 with the bolt in the half open position. You achieve the same thing as the tikka mod, only difference being the Sako 75 can have the bolt closed when the safety is applied where as the tikka is locked due to the hole drilled in the bolt to enable the safety to engage. (I may be slightly wrong here but that's how I remember it when I had my Sako 75).

I agree, the thread is about modifying a Sako 75 to use the safety and half open bolt together.
The OP is wanting to be as safe as possible - and also prevent the loss of the bolt. Regardless, debate has been opened around the use of the 'Half open Bolt'
What does the firearms code say about this in the 7 basic rules ? Rule 3 states: Load a firearm only when ready to fire. What this is means that anyone who loads their firearm and applies the safety and hunts like that is breaking rule 3. When I served in TF I remember asking one of the officers why we were being taught to carry our rifles with 'one up the spout and the safety on' He replied that in a civilian situation I was right and carrying rifle that way is not safe. He said further that the army accepted that this practice would result in some friendly fire deaths and injuries but that in a combat situation more soldiers would be lost when the enemy was encountered if they were not ready.
Before the seven basic rules were changed, the old 'rule 3' read as follows:'Use Half-open Bolt or Action when in a state of semi readiness' (only the leader of a party is to assume this position). This is what the Police taught and examined applicants on.
Technically, the rifle is not 'loaded' if the bolt is half open and it would then comply with rule three as it is written now
I expect a licence applicant would fail their test tomorrow if they said that rule 3 means hunt with the firearm loaded and safety on