RonEgg
Buckeye
This is my first post on the rifles site. Why was the tang safety moved??? What is the opinion of you all here about the switch and which model do you prefer. Mine is in 308 and is deadly accurate, if someone else is shooting. 
M-77
- Thread starter RonEgg
- Start date
mattsbox99
Hunter
I firmly believe the MKII "wing" safety is a vast improvement.
Right in the early 90s, when the MKII came out, Remington was getting sued and had to fix a whole bunch of rifles with their old style safety that had to moved to the "off" position in order to unload. Of course, those of us with some common sense always pointed the muzzle in a safe direction.
Thats my guess on why the change was made.
Right in the early 90s, when the MKII came out, Remington was getting sued and had to fix a whole bunch of rifles with their old style safety that had to moved to the "off" position in order to unload. Of course, those of us with some common sense always pointed the muzzle in a safe direction.
Thats my guess on why the change was made.
I just plain hate the wing safe as the tang works the same as all my o/u and sxs shotguns. That said, the tang is IMO not as safe as I've on more than one occasion inadvertently moved it to fire while hunting. I now check very frequently
guidedfishing
Single-Sixer
When I had my first MKII it took me a while to get used to it, I missed the shotgun type tang safety. I still have those early tag safety rifles the older .257Rbts M77 could only be unloaded with the safety in the fire position as well. A later model tang safety .280 in M77 would allow the bolt to be lifted and unloaded with the safety on. The potential problem there was if you were moving thru the pucker brush the bolt handle could get lifted as it was not locked down. Now I actually prefer the three position safety on the MKII and the Hawkeye's. Those tang safety M77's are not going anywhere thou. An old dog can learn new tricks.
shoot straight and shoot often
GF
shoot straight and shoot often
GF
Tang safety is the only way to go for me.
Beachbum
Bearcat
This is interesting to me. I have had a Frontier Rifle for 4 years which has the wing safety. I now have an older tang safety M77 on layaway and was wondering if I should be concerned. I believe the bolt can be opened with the safety on, either way I have no preference as long as it works as intended.
Does anyone have a preference between the older M77s and the newer ones other than the safeties? My Frontier rifle is a tack-driver limited only by the steadiness of my hands and a relatively heavy trigger. Did the older ones shoot as well? I am buying the older one primarily because it has iron sights on it. That is a rare feature these days, for some dumb reason.
Does anyone have a preference between the older M77s and the newer ones other than the safeties? My Frontier rifle is a tack-driver limited only by the steadiness of my hands and a relatively heavy trigger. Did the older ones shoot as well? I am buying the older one primarily because it has iron sights on it. That is a rare feature these days, for some dumb reason.
208packinheat
Single-Sixer
Personal preference is the tang for me, but certainly understand why the wing safety. The only 77's I have and shoot are of the tang safety model. I do shoot 77/22 and 77/22Hs, and I can deal with the wing safety. To each his own!
CanonLyles
Single-Sixer
Personally, I like a cross-bolt safety right next to the trigger. I know it's a different monster when comparing bolt actions to semis & pump action. My complaint with my Hawkeye's wing safety; is that when I'm lined up on a shot, I have a hard time taking the safety off while still gripping at the trigger. With that said, my CZ 527, I have to remove my grip completely to take the safety off (and it's Remington style). Next bolt action I get will be a 700. I can flip the safety off of them just by moving my thumb. Among other reasons. I have large/long hands, too.
There are 3 configurations of safetys.
1) Original tang safety on rifles under 79-50000. This version locked the bolt when the safety was in the SAFE position.
2) On rifles after 79-49999 the bolt lock was changed to allow the bolt to be opened when the safety is in the SAFE position. This changed happened about 1985, about the time Remington started having problems. The older rifles could be modified to this configuration by changing out 1 part, IIRC part number B35 to B35A.
3) The 3 position wing safety used on the M77 MkII and Hawkeye rifles. One of the plusses for this design it is much cheaper to manufacture than the complex tang safety design.
My preference is the second design, but I own rifles with all three designs. Most of the early rifles had better quality wood, so I tend to look for them. Then I change out the bolt lock retainer. BTW, if you order a bolt lock retainer from Ruger you will get the new part.
Ted
Edited to incorporate rugnelli's correction.
1) Original tang safety on rifles under 79-50000. This version locked the bolt when the safety was in the SAFE position.
2) On rifles after 79-49999 the bolt lock was changed to allow the bolt to be opened when the safety is in the SAFE position. This changed happened about 1985, about the time Remington started having problems. The older rifles could be modified to this configuration by changing out 1 part, IIRC part number B35 to B35A.
3) The 3 position wing safety used on the M77 MkII and Hawkeye rifles. One of the plusses for this design it is much cheaper to manufacture than the complex tang safety design.
My preference is the second design, but I own rifles with all three designs. Most of the early rifles had better quality wood, so I tend to look for them. Then I change out the bolt lock retainer. BTW, if you order a bolt lock retainer from Ruger you will get the new part.
Ted
Edited to incorporate rugnelli's correction.
TBear77,
In the interest of providing correct information, I believe your description is incorrect on 2). I believe you should have said that the bolt lock was changed to allow the bolt to be opened when the safety is in the SAFE position.
rugnelli
In the interest of providing correct information, I believe your description is incorrect on 2). I believe you should have said that the bolt lock was changed to allow the bolt to be opened when the safety is in the SAFE position.
rugnelli
Divernhunter
Single-Sixer
I will only buy the tang safety models and have a number of them. I hate the wing safety on the ruger/win/1903A3 etc. I also dislike the button safety on my Rem 870 and 760. My 700BDL and Tikka's safety are ok also. But the tang safety is the best.
buckeyeshooter
Blackhawk
I have type one tang safety rifles. I quit buying ruger rifles when they went to the wing safety. I have 77's in 30-06, 300wm, 338wm and 458wm. They are usually the first choice to hunt with -- appropriate chambering for size of game.
sp
Single-Sixer
Matter of preference.
My tang safety M77's all have great triggers and the safety is either on or off and locks the bolt up when on (or back).
One of my pals says that the tang safety is "in the middle of the road" but I fail to see how the location of the safety could interfere with anything. The tang safety is linked to a wire rod that when pulled back rotates a part that blocks the bolt from opening and blocks the sear (in my rifle). My M77 was made in 1968
The 77 MKII trigger-safety operates like the famous Winchester M70 (on the outside) or one of the pricey M98 safety conversion jobs. The MKII trigger safety/trigger is a simple set up. The trigger consists of just 5 parts -- 2 pins, 1 spring, 1 sear, and 1 trigger. The safety consists of a rotating cylinder having a notch cut into it that allows the trigger to be pulled back far enough to allow the trigger to release the sear. When the safety is in the middle position the rotating cylinder locks the trigger preventing the the sear from falling. When the safety is on the back position the cylinder continues to block the trigger but a spring loaded pin is pushed into a hole near the bolt handle locking the bolt. The side safety in this position fits into a notch cut into the striker acting as an additional block to prevent firing.
My guess is that the safety consists of about 4-5 parts (can't remember now) including a small torsion spring.
I like the MKII trigger/wing type safety. But stock, as issued, MKII triggers are terrible. The MKII when crudded up real bad is easier to disassemble and clean.
My guess is that Ruger does not want folks to tinker with triggers but try to do good shooting with 7-8 lb trigger with random creep stages.
My tang safety M77's all have great triggers and the safety is either on or off and locks the bolt up when on (or back).
One of my pals says that the tang safety is "in the middle of the road" but I fail to see how the location of the safety could interfere with anything. The tang safety is linked to a wire rod that when pulled back rotates a part that blocks the bolt from opening and blocks the sear (in my rifle). My M77 was made in 1968
The 77 MKII trigger-safety operates like the famous Winchester M70 (on the outside) or one of the pricey M98 safety conversion jobs. The MKII trigger safety/trigger is a simple set up. The trigger consists of just 5 parts -- 2 pins, 1 spring, 1 sear, and 1 trigger. The safety consists of a rotating cylinder having a notch cut into it that allows the trigger to be pulled back far enough to allow the trigger to release the sear. When the safety is in the middle position the rotating cylinder locks the trigger preventing the the sear from falling. When the safety is on the back position the cylinder continues to block the trigger but a spring loaded pin is pushed into a hole near the bolt handle locking the bolt. The side safety in this position fits into a notch cut into the striker acting as an additional block to prevent firing.
My guess is that the safety consists of about 4-5 parts (can't remember now) including a small torsion spring.
I like the MKII trigger/wing type safety. But stock, as issued, MKII triggers are terrible. The MKII when crudded up real bad is easier to disassemble and clean.
My guess is that Ruger does not want folks to tinker with triggers but try to do good shooting with 7-8 lb trigger with random creep stages.
Coop
Blackhawk
OK guys, I've had enough. 
Wing safety. Tang safety. Bolt safety. I've got all three.
My 22-250 Rem 'yote rifle is a M77 Mark II (wing). My .308 Win 150 yard deer rifle is a sporterized Mauser Model 96 (bolt), and my 12 GA SxS upland game shotgun is a Gold Label (tang).
My right thumb, for some incredible reason, knows exactly where to to go, and knows exactly what to do, to disengage the safety on all of the above rifles/shotguns when they are being employed.
To me, that is a result of practice shooting, which develops thumb muscle memory. I've never had a problem shooting any of those guns. Kinda like being with all of our lovely women in this world, ya'll have to adjust to each.
Coop
Wing safety. Tang safety. Bolt safety. I've got all three.
My 22-250 Rem 'yote rifle is a M77 Mark II (wing). My .308 Win 150 yard deer rifle is a sporterized Mauser Model 96 (bolt), and my 12 GA SxS upland game shotgun is a Gold Label (tang).
My right thumb, for some incredible reason, knows exactly where to to go, and knows exactly what to do, to disengage the safety on all of the above rifles/shotguns when they are being employed.
To me, that is a result of practice shooting, which develops thumb muscle memory. I've never had a problem shooting any of those guns. Kinda like being with all of our lovely women in this world, ya'll have to adjust to each.
Coop
