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Well, yes and no. The modern versions do have a mechanism designed to prevent the rifle from firing when you are attempting to go to half cock as long as you properly control the hammer. But you have to pull the trigger to do this and if you get sloppy, are not careful, and the hammer happens to fall at full speed then the rifle will fire.

A true safety will prevent the rifle from firing when the trigger is pulled. You can place the Ruger on SAFE, pull the trigger, and it will not fire. There is no safety to place on SAFE with the Browning/Winchester and if you pull the trigger it will fire. Having to manipulate the trigger while simultaneously controlling the hammer is a poor substitute. That is why Marlin and Winchester added hammer blocking safeties to their lever action rifles.

I sometimes hunt with gloves, often in the rain, and occasionally in snow and ice. I don't like the idea of having to capture the hammer while I pull the trigger, what I consider an unsafe act, just to place the rifle into a safe state.

To best illustrate the difference between the Ruger safety and the Browning/Winchester half cock all you have to do is read the instructions in their respective manuals.

Ruger:

Quote:

The RUGER® NO. 1 rifle has a two-position, ambidextrous manual safety located atop the rear of the receiver. It is operated by sliding it fully backward and forward with the thumb.

Browning:

Quote:

Always make certain when lowering the hammer from full-cock to the half-cock position that your thumb is securely and squarely on the hammer and that the rifle is pointed in a safe direction. A wise practice to follow is to place the thumb extended over the hammer with the point of the thumb just over the "V" between the hammer and the firing pins so that the thumb can act as a cushion against accidental hammer fall, and at the same time, ease the hammer into the half-cock notch.

A little practice with an empty rifle will enable a person to become adept at using the thumb in this manner. Pull the hammer slightly rearward and with the thumb still controlling the hammer, squeeze the trigger and allow the hammer to slowly begin forward travel under the control of your thumb. When the hammer has passed the full-cock position, immediately remove your finger from the trigger. Carefully lower the hammer until it catches on the half-cock position.

It seems like the most positive safety on the Browning is to use your thumb to "act as a cushion against accidental hammer fall".

Nevertheless, some people are not put off by the lack of a true safety on the Browning and Winchesters and are are content with just the half cock.

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