|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 85
Campfire Greenhorn
|
OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 85 |
Anyone prefer the tang safety on the old M77 over the newer style flip lever on the M77 Mark II?
Also What is the difference between the M77 Mark II and the Hawkeye?
What's you preference between these and why?
Some go through life wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem. Ronald Regan
My Longest shot is my shortest stalk. USMC 83-87
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,681
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,681 |
IMO the main difference is the Hawkeye stock. It's a lighter, better handling stock with wrap around forearm checkering. I bought one for my MKII and think it's an improvement.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,168
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,168 |
Mixed feelings on the tang safety VS wing safety. One is faster the other is perhaps more secure.
The wood hawkeyes have a better stock. As for me all my MKIIs are stainless and they are slowly becomimg Mcmillianized.
The collection of taxes which are not absolutely required, which do not beyond reasonable doubt contribute to public welfare, is only a species of legalized larceny. Under this Republic the rewards of industry belong to those who earn them. Coolidge
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,718
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,718 |
I've got samples from all three generations. There are pros and cons to each-----for me anyway. In no particular order, I prefer the MkII and newer barrels, the tang-safety blued bolt handles and red recoil pad, and the Hawkeye stock profile and trigger. The matte vs. shiny metal is a toss-up.
So for me, the features and availability point to the Hawkeye being the winner of the three versions.
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. --Winston Churchill
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,107
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,107 |
I think the 3 POS safety is a big upgrade and like it a lot, its way more safe. I don't care for the bead blasted bolt as it makes the action feel rougher, they should have left that in the white. another that I never see mentioned is I like how the original models bottom metal opened with the release in the bow, the mk 2 bottom metal is hard to release forget about doing it with gloves.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,505
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,505 |
i used a tang wood/blue in 270 win from 72'-73' until 96', for everything in alaska (except' brown bear) and never had an issue. now use a wood/blue 30-06, also without any issues. i have handled and shot a couple hawkeyes, but don't own one. i prefer the tang safety but like the improved locking capabilities of the 3 pos. safety on the 2 newer versions. all 3 wood stock versions suite me as well. the mk2 stainless is a little too bright for me, and since i prefer blued, never gave much consideration to the newer s/s version. you should be able to find a ruger to meets your needs and expectations. they are well made rifles!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 85
Campfire Greenhorn
|
OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 85 |
Good info. The tang safety was my dads as well (owner of Front Range Gunsmithing in CO. where I worked from '76-89'). He loves the added safety of the Mark II but still prefers the original (like the No.1s & No.3s).
Some go through life wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem. Ronald Regan
My Longest shot is my shortest stalk. USMC 83-87
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121
Campfire Oracle
|
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 |
I like the ergonomics of the Hawkeye the best, though I do have a few tangs around.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 58,374
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 58,374 |
I'd prefer a stainless steel tang,due to the adjustable trigger..................
Brad says: "Can't fault Rick for his pity letting you back on the fire... but pity it was and remains. Nothing more, nothing less. A sad little man in a sad little dream."
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 338
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 338 |
I've never owned a Hawkeye, so I'll have to defer to those with experience. Many years ago, I had a Ruger 77 w/tang safety and liked it, though I also like the 3-position safety on my current Ruger MK II. As others have stated, the 3-position safety is, well, safer. Though the tang safety is faster to manipulate, the newer 3-position safety has not yet cost me a game animal. I bought my MK II in Spring of 2005 and for awhile releasing the floorplate was an exercise in futility with or without gloves. However, over time and with repeated use, this has ceased to be a problem. Regarding stocks, the first thing I did, when I got my MK II, was replace the factory stock with a Hogue. It's not that I necessarily disliked the factory stock but that I really like the Hogue synthetic stocks, which fit me perfectly (especially the wide forearm). YMMV.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,562
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,562 |
I like the feel of the Hawkeye but can't seem to learn to love the wing safety. Make the Hawkeye with the tang and I would be in heaven.
Dale
This space for rent
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,409
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,409 |
The devil made me do it! All this talk about tang safeties....I just put a 77RL tang safety in 257 Roberts on layaway today. Unbelieveable price on it. Couldn't pass it up since all the 257 talk on here. Made me miss the one I let go a while back. All my 77's have been the Mk II with the new safety.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 21,317
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 21,317 |
Somehow I seem to be stuck in the middle with the mk II's. I really can't fault them, I hunt empty chamber and safety off, so no real up or downside of the various safeties. Accuracy has been very good in all the mk II's I've owned and shot. I also like the design of the trigger for a hunting rifle, but they do need a good gunsmith to set them to perfection.
Tangs seem to have a mixed rep on barrels and hence accuracy.
I haven't tried the hawkeyes, yet.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,409
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,409 |
There seems to be ample evidence of the mixed quality on the early barrels. I'm operating on the principle of optimism.
|
|
|
|
579 members (12344mag, 160user, 17CalFan, 10gaugeman, 1234, 16gage, 52 invisible),
2,446
guests, and
1,250
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,191,405
Posts18,470,186
Members73,931
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|