Many years back I used a Model 99 Savage in .303 savage. It had the safety under the stock that locked the lever.....I'm sure many here remember that. When I traded for a new Model 99 in .308 Win, it had a tang safety. On this particular gun it was a huge improvement IMO
That said, I still want to unload any firearm with the safety engaged and the action locked while in the lock position.....the three way safety is still something I look for in a gun.....at least bolt rifles.
All my side/side and over/under shotguns are quite the different story. They all have tang safeties but I can unload them with the safety engaged as the action opening lever acts as a third position while opening the action.
I dismiss any discussion of the Ruger tang safety as there are no Ruger firearms of any kind in my house.
