Tang safety for semi auto shotgun

K

Kopfjager

Inactive
Does anyone know of a gunsmith that will install a tang safety on a semi-auto shotgun? I hunt and 3Gun and I am hard wired to use my thumb for the safety.
I currently use a Browning BPS and would like to try a semi-auto.
 
If no luck on that, the Mossberg 930 is quickly making a showing in many gun sports...

It is tang safety...

Brent
 
The FASTEST safety is one behind the triggerguard, especially if you use an oversize button, which is what many of the competition shooters use. I know you are used to the tang safety, but they are slower. You have to reposition your thumb after operating the safety. When using the safety behind the triggerguard you use the second pad of your trigger finger. You can easliy place the safety in either the "Fire" position, or "Safe" position while your finger is inside the triggerguard and your thumb is in the correct position for firing.

You may have to spend a little time learning a new way to do things, but once you master it you will find it works better.
 
We have a Mossberg in 20 gauge and I find the tang safety distracting. It is in my field of view and interfears with the sight picture.

Plus all of what jmr40 said!
 
The FASTEST safety is one behind the triggerguard, especially if you use an oversize button, which is what many of the competition shooters use.
Click to expand...

I disagree with this statement. In my experience, a safety mounted on the tang is way faster and more easily accessed than one mounted behind the trigger. Furthermore, imo, a safety mounted in front of the trigger (ala, many, if not most Winchesters) is faster to use than one mounted behind the trigger. For instance, if you're coming up behind a point; ready for the bird to flush, with your index (shooting) finger extended forward, along side the receiver and directly above the trigger as it should be, I think it is a far more natural move to sweep your finger backwards to engage the forward-mounted safety on your way to the trigger than it is to bring your finger past the trigger to engage the rear-mounted safety and then have to return to the trigger in order to fire the gun.

For many shooters, what they've become used to trumps changing to a different method, no matter how more efficient another way might be. The fastest to access safety I've ever used is the one that Val Browning devised for his Double-Auto shotgun. For those unacquainted with this shotgun, the safety was mounted behind the trigger guard itself and required just moving the second finger, already situated on the grip immediately below the safety, a slight movement upwards to disengage it and fire the gun. The only potential downside to the Double-Auto's safety arrangement, imo, is that during the rigors associated with upland bird hunting, the safety can sometimes be too easily disengaged. When hunting with any shotgun, I always verify the status of the safety often during the course of a day's hunt but with the Double-Auto "safety check of the safety" was done even more often. And, yes, before someone chimes in with the old (but true) adage "the best safety is located between your ears", I agree that no mechanical safety should ever be substituted for the basic rules of gun safety.

As to the op's question, though I don't know of any gunsmith currently installing tang safeties on semi-auto shotguns, I do seem to remember an outfit regularly advertising in gun magazines concerning the installation of a tang safety on some Remington guns, either the 870 and/or 1100 shotguns and/or the 760 and/or 742 rifles. Unfortunately, I haven't seen said advertisement recently. I will do some checking on my reference material to see if I can find something of use.
 
Kopfjager, after doing a little research, I'm sorry to report that I've come up with no real answer to your question. I did find that a company out of Yakima, Washington (Anderson Gun Shop) used to do tang conversions on bolt-action rifles and maybe the Savage Model 99. I don't know if they ever converted semi-auto shotguns to tang safeties or even if they're still around.
Also, there is a poster who goes by "hap" at on the Alaska Outdoors forum who says he converts Remington Model 870s to tang safeties. I'm not a member at this site so I was unable to inquire further.
And before I forget, welcome to The Firing Line Kopfjager!
 
I doubt you will have much luck getting one modified. If it were my decision, I would try the mossberg. I also prefer the safety on the tang where I can see it. Of course every double gun I have ever shot has the safety there; I wonder why?;)
 
The person wanting/doing a tang safety conversion is a lawyers dream come true.
If there is a accident the lawyer will have everything you own or will own for many years to come.
The gun mfgr is out of the hook since you made changes to the operation of the gun.
 
For me, the fastest safety is the one between your ears, which should be the one ultimately hard-wired to work the best.

That being said, a tang lets you keep your trigger finger closer to the trigger if that millisecond can mean a difference in your application.

When hunting birds, I do not use a mechanical safety, as my action isn't closed until the dog goes on point
 
I LUV to ressurrect old threads - here's a .410 Remington 11-48 I just bought, that has a top/tang safety installed, and I like it.

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I do not think safety placement is any issue at all. To me. I have used them all with no issues. But if it is to you, get what you want. As noted, I believe Mossberg is the only semi auto with the tang safety.
 
I like the idea of a tang safety ....and I agree, it is much faster ...than any button near the trigger guard.../but with training and muscle memory ...the location can be overcome..probably ...

but I don't think you'll find any gunsmith to install one ...( the latigious nature of our society --- is just too different today )...

I'd say look around at the competition ...and see what the other competitors are shooting...and go from there.../ there are some "over sized" safety buttons ...on some of the Benelli's as an example ..that might work for you too ??
 
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