Tikka safety, is it safe!

[Border]

As others have stated it is the operator that is the safety. Different systems have different benefits but none are foolproof.
I have Rem 700 that doesn't lock the bolt but can be unloaded on safe. Sako 75's with the option to unload on safe with a bolt lock, M591 and CZ 455 wth regular rocker switch safeties. I have also used Mauser M03 and various decocking Blaser models.
A safel loading and unloading routine, as mentioned above is paramount to safety.
Doesn't matter how safe it is if you have failed to decock or reapply safety catch after an aborted shot or a swift reload and visual of the shot quarry.
Check out youtube. It is full of videos where stalkers/ hunters fail to reapply the safety catch and can be seen slinging or posing with quarry with rifle still on fire......

 

[Dickie]

Just put this here.

 

[Tralle]

As Blaser have been mentioned - there have been some well documented failure (ND) reported around the saftey of R93 and R8

They are two doffernt systems but both operated by sliding the decock device at the rear of the bolt body on the tang

Many failures occur when end users do not follow the manual and allow fingers within the trigger bow whilst sliding the de cock

The pressure required will in some instances cause involuntary grip and pressure on the trigger - the end result being a ND

There is a "great" example of this that was shown in a quite popular tv show on Danish television.
(20 years ago almost, my god time flies!)

"Bubber og BS på eventyr" Bubber, a famous tv host and BS Christiansen, an ex-special forces (SAS equivalent) guy on adventures around the world.

In Africa they are stalking for an antilope and Bubber have to shoot his first animal.
And well... You can see the sequence here:

(Sorry for the potato quality and the missing sound, best I could find)

From that day a ND with a Blaser was known as a "Bubber" in Denmark

 

[gixer1]

Some Tikka’s have a little tab that is in front of the safety that you can push down and allows you to open the bolt while the safety is on.

See below circled.

 

[markj1]

Some firearms won't allow the application of the safety catch unless the firing pin is retracted.

 

[User00056]

I'm certainly more comfortable with the Browning system!

The Abolt needs the safety off before it can be unloaded. Never been an issue for me though. Muzzle in a safe direction, safety slid to off, and immediately lift the bolt to take it out of battery.

 

[LeftHandGuy]

I always treat any safety as though it could trip the sear and discharge the weapon any time it is touched or manipulated. I've seen it happen to others, and I've had it happen to me. Just recently a member on here identified that his Blaser was doing it.

So long as you always treat the safety with healthy mistrust you may have a malfunction, but you probably won't have an "accident".

 

[Mike L]

Some Tikka’s have a little tab that is in front of the safety that you can push down and allows you to open the bolt while the safety is on.

See below circled.

View attachment 418712

I seem to remember the single stage trigger doesn’t have this but the 2 stage does.

 

[weblyish]

There is a "great" example of this that was shown in a quite popular tv show on Danish television.
(20 years ago almost, my god time flies!)

"Bubber og BS på eventyr" Bubber, a famous tv host and BS Christiansen, an ex-special forces (SAS equivalent) guy on adventures around the world.

In Africa they are stalking for an antilope and Bubber have to shoot his first animal.
And well... You can see the sequence here:

(Sorry for the potato quality and the missing sound, best I could find)

From that day a ND with a Blaser was known as a "Bubber" in Denmark

I've never had an issue with the Blaser cocking/safety when I've had one as an estate rifle - maybe because it's only ever been the thumbhole stock and I find it all fits so I have a decent pistolgrip to push off

but I used a merkel recently at a range to try out, that has a similar cocking mechanism to the Blaser but it felt a lot stiffer and found myself trying using the trigger guard to get some leverage

I can sort of see how someone would do this in the heat of the moment if you are unfamiliar with the mechanism
(I mean prior practice and trigger discipline should stop it, but i have some sympathy)

 

[Karhumies]

owned older sakos and tikkas, we are talking some 50-60 year old rifles. Never had an issue with the safety. However i do prefer a 3 position, just gives me a feeling of extra security. If that luls someone into a false sense of security they shouldnt be near a firearm imo. Extra safety never hurts but if you NEED it you are doing something wrong. If you RELY on it you are doing something wrong.

But of it makes you feel that little bit better iam all for it. Personally i like it because even with the muzzle pointed in a safe direction having a gun go off unexpectedly is no fun.

I have had a 12/89 go off unexpectedly while unloading (cheap Chinese autoloader). It was pointed in a safe direction but still skinned my knuckles and sprained my wrist as it was not shouldered. No fun

 

[25 Sharps]

Some Tikka’s have a little tab that is in front of the safety that you can push down and allows you to open the bolt while the safety is on.

See below circled.

View attachment 418712

My sako 75 has this, neither of my (older 595&590) tikkas do.

 

[SimpleSimon]

My sako 75 has this, neither of my (older 595&590) tikkas do.

I have an aftermarket (but genuine Tikka) two-stage on one of my T3x rifles, which has it. However, the factory-fitted two-stage on my other T3x doesn't have it

 

[wytonpjs]

Edinburgh Rifles sell the Sako/Tikka Artic 2-stage safety with the “bolt release on safe” and I’ve fitted them to both my T3X rifles so that I have a standard trigger/safety arrangement across my Sako 75 and S20 as well as the Tikkas. Keep things simple

 

[slider]

The Abolt needs the safety off before it can be unloaded. Never been an issue for me though. Muzzle in a safe direction, safety slid to off, and immediately lift the bolt to take it out of battery.

With the X bolt the rifle can be unloaded with the safety on. No argument that proper muzzle awareness should always be followed, it just I find the Tikka system a little disconcerting after using the Browning for so many years.

 

[mealiejimmy]

Thousands, if not millions of people use Tikka rifles and their "lack of safety" without problem and I don't hear of accidents with it
Everyone has their own standards and you clearly feel uncomfortable with the Tikka System
You have two choices - get a rifle with a 3 position safety or get over it and use the Tikka like the rest of us do and top worrying about it

Cheers

Bruce

 

[Karhumies]

yea never heard of am issue with a tikka safety. But as a CZ convert id say dig up an older 550 and be confident that you are holding one of the most solid rifles in history.

 

[slider]

Thousands, if not millions of people use Tikka rifles and their "lack of safety" without problem and I don't hear of accidents with it
Everyone has their own standards and you clearly feel uncomfortable with the Tikka System
You have two choices - get a rifle with a 3 position safety or get over it and use the Tikka like the rest of us do and top worrying about it

Cheers

Bruce

I never utter the words "lack of safety", I just find it "odd" after using a rifle with a 3 position safety for many years.
I have now had both for about a year and while a little more comfortable with the Tikka I still find it a little disconcerting. Apart from that it's a great tool.

 

[Karhumies]

Go CZ550, older one. Still float around here and there

nah but seriously without being nationalistic, Sako/Tikka/Tikkakoski have been making S tier rifles for about 100 years now. From battle rifles to modern sniper rifles and even their assault rifles are top tier. With both their reputation and the general Finnish culture/mindset i find it hard to imagine they would use this system just to cut cost or disregarding safety. It just further emphasises muzzle discipline wich should be a no brainer.

personally i prefer the 3 position safety but its little more than a bit of extra peace of mind.

on the other hand i personally know of someone who blew their thumb off getting out of the moose stand. Guy used sakos for years, made it a habit to check the safety by lifting the bolt.... Also had a lazy habit of leaving a round chambered when changing position.... One november morning he used his rifle to lean on while climbing down and bang.

So many rules broken and the 3 position safety was the final piece of the lazy irresponsible puzzle.


Only to say that both systems can add risk to a dangerous persons stupidity in their own way.

Both are perfectly safe in responsible hands.

 

[SimpleSimon]

You have two choices - get a rifle with a 3 position safety or get over it and use the Tikka like the rest of us do and top worrying about it

Or fork out for the retrofit trigger with the bolt release catch

 

[rem284]

I would be reluctant to use any rifle where the safety mechanism has to be disengaged to unload.

I did have a t3. One day whilst stalking I was about to shoot a beast but circumstances changed and the shot was no longer possible. As I engaged the safety, the rifle discharged. I had obviously followed correct procedures with the rifle as it was still pointing in a safe direction. The rifle was inspected and the single screw that holds the trigger unit on had came loose.