Question re Dayton-Traister type safeties.

[mannyrock]

 
Dear Guys,
 
    I was looking at an old Winchester Model 64, that has already been drilled and tapped for a scope.  Problem is, that these rifles have a mauser-type toggle safety, which requires you to twist a metal tab 180 degrees to put the safety on and off.  The scope mounts on the rifle are ultra high (really ridiculous looking) in order to leave enough room under the eye piece of the scope to reach under and twist the toggle.
 
   I am familiar with the standard Dayton Traister type, flip up safety, that are routinely installed on military mausers to take care of this problem.  I am pretty sure that you can still find these types of safeties for the Winchester 64.
 
   My question is, when one of these safeties is installed, is it just a matter of removing and replacing a couple of parts?  Or is it necessary to drill, grind or otherwises alter the original parts of the rifle?   I certainly wouldn't want to alter or destroy any original parts.  I would want to keep them.  (The original safety switches of the Winchester 54 are impossible to find, and are worth lots of money.)
 
Thanks for all information.
 
Mannyrock

[gunnut69]

I checked the brownells site but couldn't find anything for the m54,  I hesitate to suggest using m70 components... Perhaps a replacement trigger with a side safety??

[mannyrock]

  The bolt, the shroud, and the safety of the Win. 54 look almost identical to a standard military 98 mauser.  The safety tab flips over vertically to operate,  (as opposed to the Win. 70 safety, which flips around horizontally.)
 
   So, I'm assuming that when I see Dayton Traister safeties on the Win. 54s, they the ones that used for the model 98s.
 
   Does anybody know whether, in installing a Dayton Traister on a model 98 mauser, you have to alter or destroy any of the original parts?
 
  Thanks, Manny

[gunnut69]

The m54 is indeed very mauser like but there is no parts interchangeability. The safties you refer to are likey those produced at an earlier time. Perhaps a call to Timney or Dayton-Traister. They may have some remaining new/old stock..

[Frank46]

Manny, I have a win 54 action in 30-30 and had the bolt handle done at Griffen & Howe many years ago. I do have the flip up safety that I think you are speaking about. Pretty sure it was made by beuler (spelling?). Its a straight forward swap except you may have to lengthen the angle on the safety so it slides between the cocking piece and the shroud. A model 70 style trigger won't work as I have a couple of canjars and the cocking piece hangs up on the sear of the trigger when its pulled. I did see an article somewhere where the firing mechanism was converted to a model 70 style. You can get model 70 cocking pieces I think from brownells or numrich. The m54 firing pin is just like a springfield. The back end of the firing pin on the m54 is threaded and the cocking piece is put on and I believe swaged so it does not come off. I seem to remember it has 1/4x30 threads. You could get some S7 tool steel and make up a new firing pin and install a model 70 cocking piece and go from there. By the way springfield strikers fir the m54 firing pin. Frank

[mannyrock]

Frank,
 
    Thanks for the great info.  Yes, I think you are right, they are Buehler flip up safeties.  (In fact, the large majority of the 54s I see, already have these installed.)
 
    How many rounds of .30-30 does your 54 hold in the magazine?  Books say 5 rounds, but that would seem impossible given the big rim on the cartridge.
 
Thanks,  Mannyrock

[wtroger]

I use the dayton on Mausers and the shroud has to have a slot milled or ground in it.

[Frank46]

Manny, 5 rounds if memory is still working. The feed ramp on the 30-30 action I have is divided into two feed ramps with a divider in the center. Kinda hard to explain but think of a mauser feed ramp with two small ramps and the center part acts as the division between the two. Feeds slick as grease. And buehler was the name I was trying to come up with. The action is drilled for scope mounts and redfield may or may not still make them. It also has two screw holes on the left side for a lyman sight, probably a 57. 1928 is stamped on the underside of the bbl. Frank

[gunnut69]

Buehler is still in business, kind of but not producing the safties.. They are being made but by Timney.. I prefer the Buehler style but their availability has been sporadic, plus they do cost more. Check with Timney for 54 winchester saftey, perhaps new/old stock.. One of mine has the Buehler safety conversion, the other uses 20x Lyman Targetspot and the original safety..