Wrong. It has nothing to do with strength. Gas handling was the reason for Peter and Paul to not have broached the action face with the left hand cut. This was to help prevent gas from running down the left bolt lug raceway. The thumbcut was intentionally made in that manner to vent the gas in the event gas did make it down the left side.
Just buy a Parker-Hale or Whitworth branded Zastava action and you are good. Or just use a nice m98.
