Converting a silver pigeon to auto safety

[Tim Kelly]

Anyone know how easy and expensive it is to convert a sporter to auto safety? Is it just a matter of adding a component of does it have to be filed and fitted?

[welshwarrior]

Very easy take the stock off, saftey catch out break the action into the 2 halfs. Unscrew the saftey retaining clip thing. Fit the new rod into the channel screw retaining clip and new plate on.

 

Put the action and saftey catch back together stock back on finished 30 mins at most.

[solz]

Just had mine down by a gun smith charged me £35

[pontbeck]

Leave it as it is and don't rely on a safety catch

[billytheghillie]

£40 for my 686 to get done

[DaveyTed]

Leave it as it is and don't rely on a safety catch

 

Excellent advice and cheapest way. Spend the money saved on cartridges.

[FarmerSim]

It is an easy job, I made the part for a pals SP, from scratch in about 10 mins, and about another 15-20 mins to fit it all back together - as WelshWarrior says, no biggie.

 

However:-

 

Leave it as it is and don't rely on a safety catch

 

+1, nailed, completely and utterly.

[Tim Kelly]

Thanks for the info guys. I've always used SxS game guns with auto safeties, so the act of mounting the gun and sliding the safety off is automatic. Having the non auto safety has seen me not taking shots quite a number of times as I haven't been able to move the safety forward (as it was left on fire rather than returned to safe by mistake), so want to get back into my comfort zone by having the safety working as I'm used to.

 

Do you guys seriously walk around with no safety on and the gun closed? A lot of my rough shooting is going through tangly willow spinneys or similar light cover where it is safer to keep the gun closed and pointing skywards, but I would never be happy wandering round with the safety off, it might not be totally safe, but it's safer than not having it on. Muzzle awareness is the main safety issue, but if a few unfortunate circumstances combined, I'd want every mechanical aid possible to stop the gun discharging accidentally.

[solz]

Thanks for the info guys. I've always used SxS game guns with auto safeties, so the act of mounting the gun and sliding the safety off is automatic. Having the non auto safety has seen me not taking shots quite a number of times as I haven't been able to move the safety forward (as it was left on fire rather than returned to safe by mistake), so want to get back into my comfort zone by having the safety working as I'm used to.

 

Do you guys seriously walk around with no safety on and the gun closed? A lot of my rough shooting is going through tangly willow spinneys or similar light cover where it is safer to keep the gun closed and pointing skywards, but I would never be happy wandering round with the safety off, it might not be totally safe, but it's safer than not having it on. Muzzle awareness is the main safety issue, but if a few unfortunate circumstances combined, I'd want every mechanical aid possible to stop the gun discharging accidentally.

 

im exactly the same, i have been to a clay shoot once and used a mates gun (manual safety) and they had a go at me for putting the safety on (they always leave it off)

[pontbeck]

I don't close the gun until I'm taking a shot and I wouldn't be happy shooting with someone who carried a gun closed whether the safety was on or off.I 'm not having a go just answering your question

[DNS]

... it might not be totally safe, but it's safer than not having it on. Muzzle awareness is the main safety issue, but if a few unfortunate circumstances combined, I'd want every mechanical aid possible to stop the gun discharging accidentally.

 

Tim,

 

I agree entirely.

 

I do think it's important (and I don't mean you specifically) to be aware that the vast majority of shotguns can still fire with the safety applied as it only prevents the trigger being pulled; not the gun from firing altogether. A hard knock or a drop onto the butt could be enough for a discharge.

 

'open and empty' is the only totally safe state. 'Safety catch on and pointed in a safe direction' is clearly better than just 'pointed in a safe direction'.

[maxus77]

open and empty as above, and always assume gun is loaded

 

personally i would not shoot or walk next to someone that had gun closed but with safety on !!

If using a semi auto breech flag must be showing .

Edited February 14, 2013 by maxus77

[welshwarrior]

I have to have an auto safety as you describe I hate mounting the gun a safety not moving, but also I walk around with an open gun when rough shooting. Close gun and move feet, then mount and safety off as gun touches should then shoot and hopefully kill the bird so gun down break it send dog and replace empty with fresh cartridge.

[Big Al]

 

 

im exactly the same, i have been to a clay shoot once and used a mates gun (manual safety) and they had a go at me for putting the safety on (they always leave it off)

 

Me too. I got sworn at for having developed a safe habit. I cant help it. Its an instinct as none of my guns have auto safety. I was told by one experienced clay and pigeon shooter that he never uses his safety, even in the field. He said it encouaged ultra-safe handling. I explained how I knew of one man in our wildfowling club who was shot in the back and killed by another shooter coming behind him when his trigger got caught on a twig- but unbelievably I was shouted down.

 

I didnt change what I do. I always flick the safety off as I mount the gun and pull it on again when taking the gun out of my shoulder.

[Tim Kelly]

open and empty as above, and always assume gun is loaded

 

personally i would not shoot or walk next to someone that had gun closed but with safety on !!

If using a semi auto breech flag must be showing .

 

LOL Have you ever actually been shooting?

[-Mongrel-]

personally i would not shoot or walk next to someone that had gun closed but with safety on !!

If using a semi auto breech flag must be showing .

 

LOL Have you ever actually been shooting?

 

I'd hazard a guess at clay grounds only. The 'rules' apply for clays but just aren't practical in the field. How are you supposed to drop a safety flag out, load, mount, slip the safety and get a shot off before the quary has disappeared into the next county?

 

IMO an open gun is safe enough, unload it if crossing stiles/fences etc. With a S/A, mine has a magazine lock off which allows me to unload the chamber easily. I have walked across the marsh with two in the magazine but none in the tube, a quick cycle and it's loaded. Not as quick as walking around loaded, but safer and still gives you a chance at unexpected action.

[Big Mat]

I'd hazard a guess at clay grounds only. The 'rules' apply for clays but just aren't practical in the field. How are you supposed to drop a safety flag out, load, mount, slip the safety and get a shot off before the quary has disappeared into the next county?

 

IMO an open gun is safe enough, unload it if crossing stiles/fences etc. With a S/A, mine has a magazine lock off which allows me to unload the chamber easily. I have walked across the marsh with two in the magazine but none in the tube, a quick cycle and it's loaded. Not as quick as walking around loaded, but safer and still gives you a chance at unexpected action.

 

I carry my auto with 2 in the mag and an empty chamber walking across the marsh many a time. Several wildfowlers who've been at alot longer than me kept telling me to do it. In a sport where you don't get many shots, its best to be ready for any opportunity!

[pontbeck]

LOL Have you ever actually been shooting?

I'd hazard a guess at clay grounds only. The 'rules' apply for clays but just aren't practical in the field. How are you supposed to drop a safety flag out, load, mount, slip the safety and get a shot off before the quary has disappeared into the next county?

 

IMO an open gun is safe enough, unload it if crossing stiles/fences etc. With a S/A, mine has a magazine lock off which allows me to unload the chamber easily. I have walked across the marsh with two in the magazine but none in the tube, a quick cycle and it's loaded. Not as quick as walking around loaded, but safer and still gives you a chance at unexpected action.

i would question how much shooting either of you have done at game or rough shooting as neither would be welcome shooting with me or any other person i know.

Safety is paramount and the most safe shooters I know are regular clay pigeon shots. If their safety was carried on into the field everyone would be better off.

I will go further and say safety catches should be banned from shotguns as their presence gives the owner the feeling that if he applies the safety catch he is complying with what`s required and all is well but it`s not. Don`t ever rely on a safety catch, open the gun and only close it when you are taking a shot.

[magman]

i would question how much shooting either of you have done at game or rough shooting as neither would be welcome shooting with me or any other person i know.

Safety is paramount and the most safe shooters I know are regular clay pigeon shots. If their safety was carried on into the field everyone would be better off.

I will go further and say safety catches should be banned from shotguns as their presence gives the owner the feeling that if he applies the safety catch he is complying with what`s required and all is well but it`s not. Don`t ever rely on a safety catch, open the gun and only close it when you are taking a shot.

 

your dog only works 2ft in front then

[-Mongrel-]

i would question how much shooting either of you have done at game or rough shooting as neither would be welcome shooting with me or any other person i know.

Safety is paramount and the most safe shooters I know are regular clay pigeon shots. If their safety was carried on into the field everyone would be better off.

I will go further and say safety catches should be banned from shotguns as their presence gives the owner the feeling that if he applies the safety catch he is complying with what`s required and all is well but it`s not. Don`t ever rely on a safety catch, open the gun and only close it when you are taking a shot.

 

At no point have I advised anybody walk around with a closed, loaded shotgun. So where exactly is the problem? Are you going to tell me you stand on a peg with a open shotgun and no cartridges in it? When rough shooting, how exactly do you go from your open, unloaded shotgun to a firing point in time?

 

I will concede that I am no game shot, but I am a rough and pigeon shooter and wildfowler. I also shoot a lot of clays, and accept that at the ground there is absolutely no excuse for having either a loaded or unbroken gun anywhere other than when in the stand, I don't feel that it can carry over to MOST live shooting though. A clay ground is completely controlled, there are no unexpected variables and you know exactly where and when you are shooting, the same can't be said about the field.

[pontbeck]

your dog only works 2ft in front then

 

yep, you need a better dog

[Oxon T]

At no point have I advised anybody walk around with a closed, loaded shotgun. So where exactly is the problem? Are you going to tell me you stand on a peg with a open shotgun and no cartridges in it? When rough shooting, how exactly do you go from your open, unloaded shotgun to a firing point in time?

 

I will concede that I am no game shot, but I am a rough and pigeon shooter and wildfowler. I also shoot a lot of clays, and accept that at the ground there is absolutely no excuse for having either a loaded or unbroken gun anywhere other than when in the stand, I don't feel that it can carry over to MOST live shooting though. A clay ground is completely controlled, there are no unexpected variables and you know exactly where and when you are shooting, the same can't be said about the field.

 

This seems sensible to me. I don't think that people automatically think that everything is fine if the safety catch is on. Its just another line of defence.

[Big Al]

 

 

At no point have I advised anybody walk around with a closed, loaded shotgun. So where exactly is the problem? Are you going to tell me you stand on a peg with a open shotgun and no cartridges in it? When rough shooting, how exactly do you go from your open, unloaded shotgun to a firing point in time?

 

I will concede that I am no game shot, but I am a rough and pigeon shooter and wildfowler. I also shoot a lot of clays, and accept that at the ground there is absolutely no excuse for having either a loaded or unbroken gun anywhere other than when in the stand, I don't feel that it can carry over to MOST live shooting though. A clay ground is completely controlled, there are no unexpected variables and you know exactly where and when you are shooting, the same can't be said about the field.

 

I agree. Well said Mongrel.

[pontbeck]

Me too. I got sworn at for having developed a safe habit. I cant help it. Its an instinct as none of my guns have auto safety. I was told by one experienced clay and pigeon shooter that he never uses his safety, even in the field. He said it encouaged ultra-safe handling. I explained how I knew of one man in our wildfowling club who was shot in the back and killed by another shooter coming behind him when his trigger got caught on a twig- but unbelievably I was shouted down.

 

I didnt change what I do. I always flick the safety off as I mount the gun and pull it on again when taking the gun out of my shoulder.

 

A good post advocating the unreliability of a safety catch . Your clay pigeon shooting friends know the score.

[Tim Kelly]

A safety catch is just another line of defence against an accident. Not using it is like driving without a seatbelt. You can be as diligent and safety concious as possible with your gun handling, but if something happens, why wouldn't you have another possible way of avoiding the problem?

 

Those who claim never to have their gun closed have obviously never done much rough shooting. If I were to have my gun broken all day, let alone broken and unloaded, I would rarely have a shot. My gun is broken nearly all the time, but there are some bits of woodland where trying to carry your gun broken is all but impossible as it would get caught up constantly. Carrying it closed and empty would mean you could never take a shot and closed and loaded with the safety catch on is a viable way of shooting that area. Nothing in life is entirely risk free, but there's no point in deliberately making life less safe by being too thick to teach yourself to slide the catch forward as you mount the gun.