Thread: Tikka half bolt modification

Just wondering if anyone knows whether the half-cock plus safety lock that you can get done on the tikka t3 can be done on the the older tikka m595. Cheers

I honestly dont get the fascination with this silly half cock its basically exactly the same as having your bolt closed with the safety on, but for your money you get to tell people you got a half cock mod and a bolt that sticks out to get caught on stuff

Originally Posted by kimber08

Just wondering if anyone knows whether the half-cock plus safety lock that you can get done on the tikka t3 can be done on the the older tikka m595. Cheers

I have a rifle that came with it, Gunworks did the work. I don't use (the half-cock safety) though.

Originally Posted by Square22

I have a rifle that came with it, Gunworks did the work. I don't use (the half-cock safety) though.

Thank you,
I remember a mate having a 595 years ago and if the bolt was in the half cock position and the trigger engaged the bolt would slam shut. Does this happen with yours Square22?

I have a real conflict with the half cock system. It's a real kiwi thing from the old school days. My Dad taught me to use it and to this day I still do but it's not a fool prove and safe system in some situations and it's not faster or more silent.
It's positively fucken dangerous in tight bush and situations where you are pushing through scrub, fern , bracket or take a tumble.
I used to hunt the Kaimai's before moving south and the number of times a bit of scrub had closed the bolt from a pretty positive half cock position was scary. I could do two or three trips and never have it happen then suddenly look down on another trip to find the bolt closed.
I had a great talk to a well known Gunsmith who pointed out that the safety is a much better option. He pointed out that in the good ol USA if the safety was that defective or prone to failure all the gun company's would have been sued out of exsistance.
We all have different methods to be safe while carrying and if you have a system that works for you that's great but I am starting to use the safety more and place more faith in it.
Safety systems and catch's do get out of tune and sloppy but a gunsmith can get it working how it should for very little.
Just my thoughts nothing more.

This is how my rifles behaved. I show this to anyone I hunt with...saves them going off half cock

The big thing is, that what is described ... is not half cock! The Lee Enfields have a half cock system but otherwise, it is basically an external-hammer-gun thing.

Originally Posted by kimber08

Thank you,
I remember a mate having a 595 years ago and if the bolt was in the half cock position and the trigger engaged the bolt would slam shut. Does this happen with yours Square22?

I got a Tikka of here a while ago for a spare rifle with the Gun Works ‘half cock’ bolt set up. I don’t need it for the hunting I do but it would be a handy feature for bush stalking especially with the T3 which will usually drop the bolt from the ‘half cock’ position when the trigger is pulled.

The system allows you to have the bolt in the ‘half cock’ position and engage the safety. This locks the bolt in position and it won’t move until the safety is released.

I am not familiar with the older Tikkas but the T3 safety when engaging pushes a rod into a hole drilled in the bolt to stop it from being cycled. The Gun Works system works by drilling another hole in the bolt to suit when the bolt is in the upright position.

If your remove the bolt from your rifle and engage the safety and see a pin rise from the trigger area then I’d say it can be done. Or just ring Gun Works and ask.

Originally Posted by kimber08

Thank you,
I remember a mate having a 595 years ago and if the bolt was in the half cock position and the trigger engaged the bolt would slam shut. Does this happen with yours Square22?

Yes it does but apparently it is no more dangerous than some semi auto rifles with a floating firing pin reloading the next round and the firing pin lightly tapping the primer it does so....I am sure others here will have other opinions on this. It just decocks it but quickly...It does seems concerning with the speed of it but yeah apparently it is not dangerous.

Gunworks actually addressed these concerns themselves to put peoples fears to rest:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nYjKZsqU3o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuZ9MSab3k8

Originally Posted by Hayden C

I got a Tikka of here a while ago for a spare rifle with the Gun Works ‘half cock’ bolt set up. I don’t need it for the hunting I do but it would be a handy feature for bush stalking especially with the T3 which will usually drop the bolt from the ‘half cock’ position when the trigger is pulled.

The system allows you to have the bolt in the ‘half cock’ position and engage the safety. This locks the bolt in position and it won’t move until the safety is released.

I am not familiar with the older Tikkas but the T3 safety when engaging pushes a rod into a hole drilled in the bolt to stop it from being cycled. The Gun Works system works by drilling another hole in the bolt to suit when the bolt is in the upright position.

If your remove the bolt from your rifle and engage the safety and see a pin rise from the trigger area then I’d say it can be done. Or just ring Gun Works and ask.

So tell me what is the dfference between having the bolt in the half cock position, vs fully closed, if all thats holding it from firing is the safety anyhow? such a retarded idea that makes no sense at all, if anything it actually adds another step to the firing process, you would be better off just walking around with one up the spout, bolt closed and safety engaged if youre that way inclined. Shit its so dumb hahaha

Originally Posted by ZG47

The big thing is, that what is described ... is not half cock! The Lee Enfields have a half cock system but otherwise, it is basically an external-hammer-gun thing.

Haha yep agreed...terminology has just stuck around I suppose. On my Lee Enfield I see half cock as: bolt fully closed, hammer in the 'half cocked' position. If you want to fire you have to manually pull back the hammer. I suppose because the safety is so agricultural on a Lee Enfield due to its original purpose the half cock was popular at the height of Lee Enfield hunting?

I don't know about calling it dumb, I suppose the idea is that you have to both disengage safety and close the bolt before you fire. If you try and pull the trigger accidentally it decocks it (but quickly as per gunworks video...).

It just puts and extra step in before you can discharge the rifle. To be honest though I am with you Ryan - I prefer the basic bolt operation/ safety on modern rifles as that is what I have always used and I know I am safe with it ( familiar patterns of operation, muscle memory etc all that good safety stuff).

In saying that if someone wants to use the half cock and that is part of their own safe handling of the rifle that they know confidently - fill your boots.

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

So tell me what is the dfference between having the bolt in the half cock position, vs fully closed, if all thats holding it from firing is the safety anyhow? such a retarded idea that makes no sense at all, if anything it actually adds another step to the firing process, you would be better off just walking around with one up the spout, bolt closed and safety engaged if youre that way inclined. Shit its so dumb hahaha

Good explanation square 22. I never knew that...I thought the fucker would slam fire on me.

Originally Posted by stevodog

Good explanation square 22. I never knew that...I thought the fucker would slam fire on me.

It is a bit disconcerting about the speed it closes! but yeah apparently not dangerous.

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

So tell me what is the dfference between having the bolt in the half cock position, vs fully closed, if all thats holding it from firing is the safety anyhow? such a retarded idea that makes no sense at all, if anything it actually adds another step to the firing process, you would be better off just walking around with one up the spout, bolt closed and safety engaged if youre that way inclined. Shit its so dumb hahaha

I’m not here to debate the merits of the half cock but just here to try and answer the man’s question. Which I didnt really do to be honest.