Mauser M96 Safety

The Mauser Model 96, or more properly Model 1896, is a bolt action rifle that was designed for military use. The Model 96 and the similar Model 38 served as the official rifle of the Swedish military for decades. Due to this service, many refer to the rifle simply as the Swedish Mauser. While the Model 96 safety is reliable when the rifle is in proper working condition, a Model 96 owner may want to replace the safety with a more modern design to accommodate the use of a telescopic sight on the rifle.

  1. Safety Operation

    • The location of the safety on the Mauser Model 96 is at the rear of the bolt. The safety is a three-position style with the rifle being ready to fire with the safety fully to the left, the center position preventing the rifle from firing while allowing the bolt to be opened and the right position preventing the rifle from firing and locking the bolt. The safety uses a large tab which makes it easy to find and operate in battle conditions.

    Safety Problem

    • When the Swedes replaced the Model 96, many of the rifles came to the United States where they quickly became popular in military rifle competitions and with hunters and shooters in general. However, most hunters want to use rifles with a scope. Though the Model 96 safety works fine for military use, the upward sweeping movement of the safety causes problems if the rifle has a scope mounted, since the safety will not clear the body of the scope. For hunters or shooters who want to use a scope, it is necessary to replace the original safety with one that does not interfere with the scope.

    Replacement Safeties

    • Numerous companies manufacture replacement safeties for the Model 96 that allow for the use of a scope with the rifle. These safeties have a smaller tab than the original, and the tab generally slides forward and back on the right side of the bolt. This movement of the safety remains low enough to allow the shooter to mount a scope on the rifle and operate the safety. The replacement safety also retains the three-position function of the original design.

    Gunsmith Inspection

    • Though companies manufacture replacement safeties specifically for the Model 96, it is possible for a replacement safety to need fitting to a specific rifle. This may be due to wear on the rifle over years of use, or previous alterations made to the rifle. While a hunter or shooter can install the safety at home, it is wise to have a competent gunsmith install the safety if there are any problems with fit or operation, or at least have a gunsmith inspect the installation for problems.