The cross-bolt came into play in 1983! It was required by the all mighty government!

 

It was not......Mandated by the gov.

 

Is it better than the design before that?

 

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.

 

You forgot a category, lawyers and idiots.

 

RUH ROH!

 

Some like the crossbolt safety on a lever gun, most don't. I don't, so I replaced it with a safety delete kit. It's a 10 minute fix.

 

Some like the crossbolt safety on a lever gun, most don't. I don't, so I replaced it with a safety delete kit. It's a 10 minute fix.

View attachment 949816

I fixed all mine too.

 

Plenty of great used Marlins out there. I do not want one. My marlins seem to work fine and I feel very safe.

 

I don't know why they just didn't go with a transfer bar like H.R.A. And no it is not a Ruger patented idea. I have a very old Iver Johnson break top revolver that has a transfer bar.

 

You can be a purist and never buy a post-'83 Marlin, or you can buy whatever suits your needs best. The safety can be eliminated or left in place. In 'Murica we have choices. I chose Cowboy Bling from Beartooth Mercantile.

 

I had a Remlin 45-70 and the safety switch was so loose it would randomly decide to engage.

I picked up a Remlin 30-30 last spring and did the safety delete. Took about 10 minutes.

 

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

 

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

 

I have some with and some without. I guess I’m not a purist as if a rifle I wanted with or without the safety I would still buy it. You can just get the delete kit, but I just leave it as is.
Regards,

 

I have only one rifle with a cross bolt safety, an 1894, and it doesn't bother me one way or another. I sometimes use it when coming down a ladder stand or out of a box blind but when I am sitting, it is off.

It doesn't affect the quality of the trigger pull so it is moot to me.

 

The CB safety doesn't effect the operation of the rifle. And it's better looking than the newer Winchesters with the hideous CB, the tang safety, the funky thing on top of Rossi 92s., and the rebounding hammer.

 

Where does one say get the replacement for the CBS?

1990 336 CS
.35 REM

 

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.

 

If it was not required by the Government, how did it come about? I figured it was Nancy P.for sure 😆

 

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.

 

In all probability, corporate lawyers recommended additional an safety due to liability concerns, real or imagined.

Make things foolproof from fools. If possible.

 

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.

 

I did not know that you could replace the CBS with a saddle ring. I'll have to look into that. Hopefully Beartooth Mercantile still offers them.

 

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