Hello all, newbie here but hope I can get an answer. I have an older Howa rifle in a 7mag and after finding out the hard way, having a perfectly good round extracted from snagging a limb, I'm not too sure my safety is working properly. I have several Howa rifles and a Vanguard as well, all of them newer than the 7mag. The problem is after chambering a round and putting on safety the bolt will still open. My other rifles will not do that. Is this SOP or is the safety not working as it should and if so is there a trigger replacement such as timney or something that will not allow this to happen. Thanks
Howa 1500
- Thread starter Arcburn
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rabid wombat
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Hi Arcburn,
First, welcome. You will find some very knowledgable people on this forum, I just wish I was one of them.
As to the specific question - I do not know Howa rifles, other than they are very reputable. That said, several brands have safeties engaged that allow the bolt to operate. This is to promote the safe clearing of the weapon. This is not universal.
With the rifle unloaded (double check!), and pointed in a safe direction (knowing what is behind the pointed direction) - attempt to fire the unloaded weapon while the safety is on. If it fires, you have a problem. If it does not, you should be good to go. In short, some safeties lock the bolt, some do not - all should prevent the weapon firing. Just remember the main safety is between the ears.
Best
First, welcome. You will find some very knowledgable people on this forum, I just wish I was one of them.
As to the specific question - I do not know Howa rifles, other than they are very reputable. That said, several brands have safeties engaged that allow the bolt to operate. This is to promote the safe clearing of the weapon. This is not universal.
With the rifle unloaded (double check!), and pointed in a safe direction (knowing what is behind the pointed direction) - attempt to fire the unloaded weapon while the safety is on. If it fires, you have a problem. If it does not, you should be good to go. In short, some safeties lock the bolt, some do not - all should prevent the weapon firing. Just remember the main safety is between the ears.
Best
BBBBill
Member
I don't have a Howa here to check so I cannot say for sure, but it sounds normal to me.
Some years back Remington modified the safety on the 700 to allow the bolt to cycle with the safety engaged. Not everyone likes that. My neighbor is still looking for an old style left handed safety to retrofit to his newer Remmy. Fortunately it is one of the transition guns that still has the cut in the bolt that the old style safety engages. Later production eliminated that cut.
Some years back Remington modified the safety on the 700 to allow the bolt to cycle with the safety engaged. Not everyone likes that. My neighbor is still looking for an old style left handed safety to retrofit to his newer Remmy. Fortunately it is one of the transition guns that still has the cut in the bolt that the old style safety engages. Later production eliminated that cut.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Welcome to the forum!
This gives me a good excuse to dig my Vanguard out of the back of my armory. I will check back in a bit.....
Ok, my Vanguard most certainly will not allow the bolt to open when the safety is engaged. I think you have a broken safety.
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Thanks everyone for the responses. I just found it odd that all three other Howa's and a Vanguard will not allow this to happen. I also have a few others that will allow but I'm not fond of it only because of my experience with ejecting a round while hunting in rough country. Does anyone out there know if a Timney trigger would prevent this or another reputable brand. The rifle shoots well and has been beaten up a bit from hunting not abuse but rough areas and I would like to keep using it. Thanks again
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Hmmmm, was doing some research, and it appears there WERE some older 1500s with 3 position safeties which would allow the bolt to open in position 2. Are you sure you dont have one of these?
In any event, a Timney should correct the problem. Good luck!
I have an update if anyone out there has a problem with their Howa like I do. First I swapped triggers out of the Vanguard and both worked exactly the same, still had the same problem. I had to swap the thumb safety over because the Vanguard was set up slightly different. This slight difference is the difference. The Vanguard has a slight narrow groove which allows the safety tang to slide into a slight groove on the bottom side of the bolt handle causing it to block the travel of the bolt from the down to up position in a way like the old 99 savage with the lock on the lever. Anyway problem is solved the vanguard has the groove that locks the bolt handle the new howa's do have a 3 position safety which I might add is not obvious to old clumsy thumbs with on or off feelings. The 3 position from howa or Timney will make this a non opening bolt while on safety after chambering. I talked to two gunsmiths and called the Howa recall center in OK and never got my answer but it was right in front of me the whole time. Thanks again to all
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