I learned the hard way at 10 years old with a Mauser safety that swings over the top of the bolt.
safe is over to the left sticking out far enough to catch on anything.
I had it slung on my right side. The swinging forward and back of the butt flipped the safety off and I didn't know it or understand to look for it.
My dad spotted a buck rubbing a bush below us. He told me "get ready" as he put his binos up to see what he had for horns.
To me, at 10, get ready meant READY. I knew enough to keep the muzzle pointed up or down, but I stuck my gloved finger in the trigger guard in case "I had to act quick".
That rifle had a stupid light trigger and just as I looked over the hill and saw the deer, the gun went off and put a bullet in the dirt 6 feet behind my dad.
I was as shocked as he was! "it was on safe!"
After he calmed down and realized what had happened, he explained it to me. I didn't want anything to do with that rifle after that!
That moment has stayed vivid in my mind for the 38 years since!
