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If the safety is too much bother just leave the bolt unlocked and turn the handle down when ready to fire. (You will want to close the action fully afte chambering a round but then ease the handle back up.) I do this with some Japanese rifles as well.
Case studies of hunting fatalities show two primary types. Mistaken for game and accidental discharge. Of the two, accidental discharge is the more common. Accidental discharges are the result of a firearm not having it's safety engaged and someone inadvertently pulling the trigger, falling and hitting the trigger, having the trigger get caught on something and so on and so forth. Most of this type fatality are either self inflicted or that of their buddy next to the shooter. So don't expect me to go hunting with you if you are wandering around the woods with the safety off or the bolt partially open. The first is just plain dangerous, the second can prevent inadvertent trigger pull but may not be safe in a fall.
Every hunter education course instructs that the safety is to be engaged until you are prepared to take the shot after positively identifying your target. The same is true for NRA sanctioned sporting events. These instructions are there for a reason, they save lives.
Well put and as someone who broke the rule of "safety on" a long time ago I will tell you if almost cost me a foot or more. Was hunting in a abandoned farm yard where there ALWAYS were Hungarian Partridge. Took the safety off my Browning Auto 5 while walking in foot high grass, problem is this time the partridge literally broke at my feet and all around me. It startled me and I pulled the trigger, scared the crap out of me as I had the gun pointing down to the ground and came far too close to my foot. NEVER again did I do that, safety on and better to miss a opportunity for a shot. It was a stupid decision and seeing as I was in a very remote area it probably would have been a fatal wound.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aragorn243
x3 on the safety rule guys. :thup: There's a reason it's called a "safety". Grandpa taught me that over 40 years ago.
Regarding my original post, I took vintage hunter's suggestion and sat on the couch to watch some TV with my wife and kept working that safety. Before too long I "mastered" the technique. While still a bit stiff to disengage the safety, I can now do it virtually silently. I have complete confidence that the Mosin will make a fine hunting gun and look forward to taking it along next season. I'm glad I posted the question here instead of just assuming the safety was inherently noisy. Now I need to buy a variety on hunting rounds to see what she shoots best!
Thanks again for all the input to help me out :D
Leave it alone, go hunt and have fun! I have a lot of meat on my table from stock WWII rifles. I have yet to miss or have one walk more than two steps after shooting out there hearts. The most important thing to learn about hunting is to be a great shot. Practice, practice, practice until you do.
Trade it for a Lee Enfield? :super:
The most ergonomically designed safety on a Military bolt action EVER.
That doesn't mean you should wander around the weeds with one up the spout as a matter of course, however.
A lot of hunters of my acquaintance simply carry the rifle with a full mag and an empty chamber. Whilst not exactly quiet, it is surprising how fast you can shuffle the bolt as it is on its way up to your shoulder for a snap shot. Stalking is the key to a successful hunt in many cases. The closer the beastie is to you, the bigger a target it is and the less chance of it "vanishing" as you work the bolt and take aim.
Only rifle I ever had a problem with the safety. It can be pushed halfway off and when it is only halfway, it will drop the pin but not far enough to strike the primer. Now I will credit basic unfamiliarity with the safety for my problem. I felt it click off and pulled the trigger. Rifle went "click" Deer heard the click and stared at me while I pulled the charging handle back. Bolt went click a second time and the deer were off. I will say this however, that bolt is smooth and fast. I had the safety off for real and fired two shots at three running deer and knocked down two of them. To date is is the first and last time I carried a milsurp in the woods and it is 2 for 2. It's not that I didn't like it, it's just my choice of a hunting rifle is a lever action 99 Savage. As I get older, I expect I'll take more of my milsurps out into the woods. Not quite ready for that just yet. I also use scopes and that is a problem with most.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce_in_Oz