Do you actually use the safety in a bolt rifle? I don't.

[jjjjeremy]

Maybe I'm an idiot, but I hardly use the safety on my bolt gun, and when I do it's only because I have the background nagging thought in my head that "I might as well", or out of habit.

I'm not walking around with a round in the chamber, or the bolt cocked on an empty chamber, so I can't even engage the safety if I wanted to. If I'm at the range I'm not putting a round in the chamber until I'm settled on target. Maybe I use it hunting if I put one in the chamber in the last few moments before I shoot, so it's on safe if I'm adjusting my position, or if I need to stand up and move over. Maybe I've talked myself into its utility.

But hunting with an AR is a different story. I always have one in the chamber because it's too loud to load, and I only hunt with an AR when I need fast follow ups, which are often preceded by a fast first shot.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

Well hell yes

 

[BBob]

I hardly use the safety on my bolt gun

I'm not walking around with a round in the chamber, or the bolt cocked on an empty chamber, so I can't even engage the safety if I wanted to. If I'm at the range I'm not putting a round in the chamber until I'm settled on target.

No, hardly ever for the same reasons you stated.

To add: FWIW I also de-cock when I closing the bolt.

 

[Mtnmilsurp]

Maybe I'm an idiot,

Nailed it right out of the shoot!

 

[Jason Snyder]

Yes. Always. And I carry with an empty chamber.

 

[IDVortex]

I do. It's one more safety item to limit a discharge. Only takes one time to forget that you had a round in a chamber thinking it was empty and bumping a trigger to kill a human.

 

[IDVortex]

No such thing as a accidental discharge, imo.

 

[Jmoore]

Always. It creates good habits, whether the gun is loaded or not.

 

[jimh406]

I do. If I’m staying in one place, I don’t find the benefit of keeping the chamber empty.

 

[Raghornklr]

Every time I pick one up, same applies to shotguns and ARs

 

[flyfisher117]

I use it, and make a habit of using it. Even if I know the rifle is clear and safe.

Complacency kills.

 

[CorbLand]

I hike with a round chambered and my gun has the three position safety so it locks the bolt. So, yea, I have the safety on.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

I remember many years ago, my dad caught me with my safety off. I got whacked upside the melon. Safety is always engaged until I'm ready to shoot.

 

[jjjjeremy]

Every time I pick one up, same applies to shotguns and ARs

How do you engage the safety if it's not cocked? Why would you cock it on an empty chamber?

 

[jjjjeremy]

I remember many years ago, my dad caught me with my safety off. I got whacked upside the melon. Safety is always engaged until I'm ready to shoot.

Even on an empty chamber?

 

[Raghornklr]

How do you engage the safety if it's not cocked? Why would you cock it on an empty chamber?

Why not? Safety is always on unless I'm taking a shot.

 

[Sadler]

Yes. Always. And I carry with an empty chamber.

Concealed carry or while hiking with your bolt gun?

 

[Kenai_dtracker]

If I'm actively hunting, then I have a round in the chamber and the safety on.

 

[jjjjeremy]

Why not? Safety is always on unless I'm taking a shot.

So you cock it on an empty chamber for the sole purpose of engaging the safety? What is the benefit of doing this, just for maintaining habits?

 

[rclouse79]

If there is not a round in the chamber you are safer than someone walking around the woods with a round chambered and the safety on. You must have been in the mood for a flogging when you posted this, or you are new to the Rokslide crowd. You might as well have gone over the top and said you don’t use your safety and you glass with the scope on your rifle. Good luck with this thread.