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Crossbolt Safety

2.8K views 25 replies 22 participants last post by  Pereira  
#1 ·
OK...Please excuse the rookie question but would some of you educate me on the crossbolt safety?
When was it used/discontinued? Good to have or not so? I have a 1974 336 JM 30-30.
 
#4 ·
Now, that's a loaded question here..lol

Fact is that it's safer for loading and unloading the rifle. However, things were pretty good the way it was from the old days...until lawyers.
 
#14 ·
The safety is OK if you remember to push it off safe before you want to fire.
Coworker that is not a big gun guy relayed a story from this past season, he was hunting with his grandson when a huge buck came out, he was coaching him on when to take the shot and reached over and put the gun on safe (the safety was already off) at the shot he got click instead of bang. thinking it was a dud shell he levered in another round and click again, well the buck had enough of that and ran off, said he felt terrible and the little guy was almost in tears.

Like any other safety, make sure you know how to use it under pressure.
That said, I do not own a modern Marlin with the CBS yet but will probably pick one up in the future.

Rick
 
#15 ·
I have Marlins with the CBS. They are best used when loading or unloading where the old rifles were in a hot position while doing so. Never have had any issue with them as I double check that they are off after loading.
They are not a trigger block safety as on bolt actions and once the rifle is on typical half cock I do not engage them. Think I have had more issues where I have forgotten to chamber a round than with the safeties. It could cause troubles if you try to use them as a true safety, as the hammer can fall while the safety is engaged.
Hammer guns are considered more dangerous than the newer ones. My bolt actions you can unload by pulling out the box magazine and opening the bolt. Double barrel shotguns have been hammerless for some time.

DEP
 
#25 ·
Where does one say get the replacement for the CBS?

1990 336 CS
.35 REM
Got mine from Beartooth Mercantile.
There are other merchants that sell the kits also.
 
#22 · (Edited)
It is likely the result of the "legal dept" of Marlin, then and now.
My 30-30 CB has a cross bolt safety and I, myself, couldn't care less about it (to each their own). I've handled lever action rifles for about 60 years, and always use a half cock......and I pay attention to "x" rounds in and "x" rounds out when I load/unload the magazine.

As a 31 year Hunter Safety Instructor, I urge all levergun enthusiasts to be patient with other shooters/hunters in teaching them about safe handling of these unique firearms, don't assume they always know and/or understand.
 
#23 ·
The only time I use my CBS is when I return to my vehicle after freezing in the woods all day. CBS on eject rounds count them and gun in the case.
However when I hunt with my pre-CBS I do the same. No holes in my vehicles.
When my brother and I attended Hunter Safety Class some 30+ years ago the instructor recommended parents NOT buy the good old single shot break open for their kids. Said they had trouble letting a hammer down if they cocked it and did not get a shot. When I took my son to HS they said the same. Then asked me about his NEF I had bought him. So we spent some time in the back yard practicing letting the hammer down. I was going to dump the shot out but changed my mind and did it with a live round.
Muzzle control and triggerfinger discipline are more important.
 
#26 ·
I only have 5 with the damn cbs, two have deletes the other cowboy will get the saddle ring replacement when Beartooth gets restocked. A couple have an o-ring on them to prevent the accidental engaging.
Like someone mentioned, Marlin's is no where as hideous as Winchesters.
I'll never own one of those.🤮

RP