Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing smoothing out a Beuhler-type safety on a M98

I picked up a Mauser 98 actioned rifle which has a Buehler-type safety ( located on right side. UP position to engage safety, DOWN position for fire).

It is very stiff when trying to engage the safety (lifting it UP). I would like to smooth out the engagement.

What is the preferred way to accomplish this? Do I put the bevel on the safety, or the bolt's/firing pin's cocking piece.
? What magnitude of angle (degrees) should be used?

I remember watching a "how to" video years ago by Larry Potterfield ( MidwayUSA) where he put a 40(?) degree angle on the cocking piece of a Mauser 98 ( fitting a Buehler or Timney style safety. I'm not 100% sure if "what I remembered was correct.". I can't seem to find that video anymore.

Input sought. Thanks in advance.

Cocking pieces are readily available and cheap. Stone and polish the cocking piece.

Be careful what you wish for. You must also consider the effort to lower the safety to 'fire' position. If it becomes too easy smooth and quiet, carrying the rifle slinged on the shoulder, the right arm rubbing in the vicinity of the safety, clothing can ease the safety to fire position and you will never know it. Play around with it a little using a shoulder carry before you do much polishing or grinding. Also, keep in mind, metal removed from the safety engagement surfaces...moves the cocking piece forward...be sure you have a good air gap betwixt cocking piece and sear.I sure wish someone made an affordable shroud of the style found on the BRNO commercial 98's. It's unobtrusive, positive, located on the left side where your thumb naturally belongs. Dang near idiot proof.

The one problem with the Beuhler safety which is on the right-hand side, is that the bolt lock can be overridden by just lifting on the handle. This tendency is exacerbated by rounding of the edge of the cocking piece. Polish the ramp on the safety and, if it is not hard, harden it. My preference, for a right handed shooter, is to have the wing on the left and on the right for a left handed shooter. GD

The one problem with the Beuhler safety which is on the right-hand side, is that the bolt lock can be overridden by just lifting on the handle. This tendency is exacerbated by rounding of the edge of the cocking piece. Polish the ramp on the safety and, if it is not hard, harden it. My preference, for a right handed shooter, is to have the wing on the left and on the right for a left handed shooter. GD

Go with the side swing version and don't look back, I have three in stock ready to go

once upon a time I was trying to get a buehler safety to work , called buehler talked to Bob Ray , chastised me for touching the safety, only work on the cocking piece.

PM to you

I always liked these safeties on the old FNs.

I got rid of a beautiful Wards Westernfield (Heym) after carrying it on my shoulder hunting a couple times with the safety off. I had knocked it over somehow and didn't know it. Not worth it