against the grain
I'm gonna go on record that I am not a fan of traditional lever carbines, with or without a safety, for newbies. Now I realize that many of us started on the venerable Winlin carbine, many likely w/o the safety and that I will likely draw some flame on this.
But safety or no, I think that having to lever all the rounds in and out of the chamber to empty the tube mag to clear a Winlin, and lowering the hammer on a live round, and proper use of the traditional half cock safety on older rifles, are complex operations for newbies. It also requires a bit of hand strength and understanding that youngsters may not have, or petite women either. I have seen that with bamaboy at a young age, and bamawife as well and a Marilin .357. I also firmily believe, cause I have seen it with my own eyes, also, that there are experienced folks that do not understand the old half cock as well.
For that reason, I always suggest a moderate bolt rifle, say 7.62x39 or .243, with removeable mag or drop floor plate as a first deer/medium rifle.
Manual of arms is easy, and requires only 2-3 moves. Yes, the best safety is using our heads and the 4 basic rules, but less manipulation is a help as well.