Thread: One up the spout

I think the key learning from this thread is that some NZ hunters will apparently go to great lengths to come up with weird concoctions of action state simply to avoid using a manufacturer designed and approved safety.

I have two states when actively hunting with my bolt action rifles; bolt closed on empty chamber or bolt closed on loaded chamber with safety on. The second state is never when behind someone and no matter what state the rifle always pointed in a safe direction.

My opinion is all of these weird variations of half closed bolts etc. provide no additional safety and in many instances are more unsafe than simply using a safety. Should you rely on a safety? No but I know for certain it's been tested and designed better than something the manufacturer doesn't recommend, nor have they designed or tested. I also question why some gunsmiths in NZ have modified things like Tikkas just so people can use these strange versions of action state, I suspect market demand based on some weird hangover we all seem to have from our forebears hunting with .303s that had half cocks.

In saying this not all safeties are the same either. I much prefer those safeties that directly action on the sear and firing pin to hold back and retain the firing pin than those that simply block the trigger.

When will I use a half cock?
With my Uberti 1873 lever action, Pedersoli Sharps 1874, and my Lee Enfield No4 that all have an action with a designed and manufactured half cock.