Thread: Rem 700 halfcock

My method of carry when close to animals is the half-bolt with my right hand flat on the side of the action and the bolt handle between my finger and thumb. The positive detent just helps to keep it in position where it can be silently turned down to the fire position. At all other times the rifle is carried with the bolt closed on an empty chamber. As a gunsmith with a year or two under my belt I have seen many reasons why you should not rely 100% on any safety catch! Properly done and finished, the removal of .020" off the face of the striker sear lug would not even be noticeable to any but the trained eye (with measuring equipment) and would not compromise the safety of the firearm in any way. Half-cock is totally different, relying on under-cut notches (bents) in the striker or hammer (depending on design) to prevent the trigger being pulled. That system is prone to failure (especially in older, worn firearms) and is inherently dangerous. Trying to lower a Lee-Enfield striker to half-cock (especially with cold or wet fingers) is fraught with danger!

Originally Posted by gundoc

My method of carry when close to animals is the half-bolt with my right hand flat on the side of the action and the bolt handle between my finger and thumb. The positive detent just helps to keep it in position where it can be silently turned down to the fire position. At all other times the rifle is carried with the bolt closed on an empty chamber. As a gunsmith with a year or two under my belt I have seen many reasons why you should not rely 100% on any safety catch! Properly done and finished, the removal of .020" off the face of the striker sear lug would not even be noticeable to any but the trained eye (with measuring equipment) and would not compromise the safety of the firearm in any way. Half-cock is totally different, relying on under-cut notches (bents) in the striker or hammer (depending on design) to prevent the trigger being pulled. That system is prone to failure (especially in older, worn firearms) and is inherently dangerous. Trying to lower a Lee-Enfield striker to half-cock (especially with cold or wet fingers) is fraught with danger!

I agree with the above. Can I ad that the biggest issue with this whole matter is that so many people dont actually know how to chamber a round silently and dont practice it. So instead of sneaking in on an animal with an empty chamber and then silently chambering the round and making the last approach approach with the bolt 'half open' and under control, they approach the whole way to the shot with a cocked loaded rifle and the safety on. Gives me the shits

Originally Posted by gundoc

My method of carry when close to animals is the half-bolt with my right hand flat on the side of the action and the bolt handle between my finger and thumb. The positive detent just helps to keep it in position where it can be silently turned down to the fire position. At all other times the rifle is carried with the bolt closed on an empty chamber. As a gunsmith with a year or two under my belt I have seen many reasons why you should not rely 100% on any safety catch! Properly done and finished, the removal of .020" off the face of the striker sear lug would not even be noticeable to any but the trained eye (with measuring equipment) and would not compromise the safety of the firearm in any way. Half-cock is totally different, relying on under-cut notches (bents) in the striker or hammer (depending on design) to prevent the trigger being pulled. That system is prone to failure (especially in older, worn firearms) and is inherently dangerous. Trying to lower a Lee-Enfield striker to half-cock (especially with cold or wet fingers) is fraught with danger!

This is exactly how I approach things and will continue to do so, however I thought the halfcock was an extra layer of safe (when close to game) having cold wet hands. I'd never rely on this entirely.

Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

@GregD would you be able to link the article from the Hunter mag from years ago?

Yes please, I couldn't find it either.

Don't know how old this thread is but regarding the half cock on a Remington 700, as long as the position is positive there is no problem with it.

Originally Posted by JohnDuxbury

It's got a perfectly good safety.

Mine doesn't have a safety at all.

Originally Posted by redbaron1958

Don't know how old this thread is but regarding the half cock on a Remington 700, as long as the position is positive there is no problem with it.

It's still cocked. There is nothing 'half' or 'safe' about it.

If the trigger is pulled, the firing pin will still fall and you are relying on the weight of the bolt and handle to provide enough resistance required to retard the firing pin's forward motion. It will still strike the primer but maybe not hard enough to set it off...

Guess what happens when you perform bolt lightening mods like lightweight firing pin, fluting the bolt handle and body?

Originally Posted by caberslash

It's still cocked. There is nothing 'half' or 'safe' about it.

If the trigger is pulled, the firing pin will still fall and you are relying on the weight of the bolt and handle to provide enough resistance required to retard the firing pin's forward motion. It will still strike the primer but maybe not hard enough to set it off...

Guess what happens when you perform bolt lightening mods like lightweight firing pin, fluting the bolt handle and body?

Greetings @caberslash,
This, together with the belief that you can divine pressure by gazing at primers are two fables that just will not die. The idea came from a safe way to carry a Lee Enfield while hunting ie the half or part open action. With a cock on closing action this works well enough needing two movements against spring pressure. For a cock on opening it is not safe as you have deduced. Fortunately the word is finally getting through but it is slow progress with the diehards.
Regards Grandpamac.