I prefer a 700 with the bolt locking feature and won't carry one that doesn't.
If you can't lift the bolt the safe is on.
Never liked the idea the bolt handle could catch on something and fall open when least expected.
On the bolt locking 700s
When the safe lever is pulled back a thin bar rotates up through a slot milled in the action and into a slot cut into the under side of the bolt handle.
The very first years Remington did this. All they did was cut the length of the thin bar down so it didn't catch the bolt.
Later on they removed the slot in the receiver and the cut under the bolt handle.
These original sidesafe levers can still be had. And can be retrofitted to Rifle basic triggers. For the vintage model 700 that you're talking about. You could take the original trigger and send it to Neil Jones. I doubt you'll be able to tell the difference. Mr Jones does excellent trigger work.
If you're squeamish about removing a loaded round from a model 700 with the safe off.. at one point in time you could buy the parts from ultralight arms to depress the lever while the safe was on. .
Easy peasy.

Dave


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