I don't like safeties that lock the bolt.
I change out ones that are that way when I buy an old 700. I suppose a three position safety is OK, but I would never need to use the locking position. I never had a bolt come open on it's own so it is hard to understand why it is needed for me. The main benefit of a three position safety for me is resale value. Perhaps someone who buys the rifle likes them and for me the locking position is ignored.
The tang safeties on my 77 and my 99 are fine as far as they are in a good position to release the safety fast.
The military dropped the three position when they went to the M1 - the finest battle rifle ever made.
