Husqvarna 1600/1640

[ChromeHound]

I'm starting a build on a rifle based on a very nice Husqvarna 1600/1640 action I bumped into. Does anyone know if an upgraded safety was ever made for this action? The original safety is a trigger block and ideally, I would like a firing pin block. Anyone that can point me in the direction of a solution. Or, give me the bad news that it doesn't exist?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Apparently you can use a Mauser bolt shroud on these rifles. This fella got rid of Husqvarna trigger and trigger block safety for Timney trigger and Mauser 3-position flag safety. Parkwest and Myers make 3-position Model 70 style safeties/shrouds for 98 Mauser. I have Parkwest on my 98 Mauser build and it's okay. I think Myers is probably better. I suspect Mauser cocking piece would have to be modified for Husqvarna.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Apparently you can use a Mauser bolt shroud on these rifles. This fella got rid of Husqvarna trigger and trigger block safety for Timney trigger and Mauser 3-position flag safety. Parkwest and Myers make 3-position Model 70 style safeties/shrouds for 98 Mauser. I have Parkwest on my 98 Mauser build and it's okay. I think Myers is probably better. I suspect Mauser cocking piece would have to be modified for Husqvarna.

Okay ... so citing another forum is naughty stuff I guess. Here's what the guy posted:

"My husky 1640 has a timney for an FN mauser. No fitting needed.. I replaced my bolt shroud/safety with mauser parts because I prefer the safety to block the firing pin. If you don't want to do that, you need the timney with the built in trigger safety." [Which is no longer made

 

[ChromeHound]

Okay ... so citing another forum is naughty stuff I guess. Here's what the guy posted:

"My husky 1640 has a timney for an FN mauser. No fitting needed.. I replaced my bolt shroud/safety with mauser parts because I prefer the safety to block the firing pin. If you don't want to do that, you need the timney with the built in trigger safety." [Which is no longer made]

PM me if you are interested in seeing the thread and we will find a way to work around the censor. The thread was about fixing the Model 1600 clunky trigger.

Thank you for the info! It sounds like I am on the hunt for a M98 bolt shroud and 3 position safety.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Thank you for the info! It sounds like I am on the hunt for a M98 bolt shroud and 3 position safety.

Okay. But I would look for a flag safety and shroud first (e.g. FN or military). Should be able to snag those parts on eBay pretty cheap. Then if you can make that setup work, think about Model 70 style safety (if scope will be mounted) which comes with new bolt shroud (obviously). Those are fairly pricey at $200+. Don't want to order one if it won't work. Sounds like you may also need to change triggers. Again, get that Mauser bolt shroud working first before ordering the other upgrades. Timney trigger for Mauser most likely will not work out of the box. Mine didn't. Instructions say shaving the trigger sear may be necessary. I chose to modify the cocking piece sear instead. It is easily and cheaply replaced if I screwed it up. Timney triggers aren't terribly expensive but not disposable either.

 

[ChromeHound]

Okay. But I would look for a flag safety and shroud first (e.g. FN or military). Should be able to snag those parts on eBay pretty cheap. Then if you can make that setup work, think about Model 70 style safety (if scope will be mounted) which comes with new bolt shroud (obviously). Those are fairly pricey at $200+. Don't want to order one if it won't work. Sounds like you may also need to change triggers. Again, get that Mauser bolt shroud working first before ordering the other upgrades. Timney trigger for Mauser most likely will not work out of the box. Mine didn't. Instructions say shaving the trigger sear may be necessary. I chose to modify the cocking piece sear instead. It is easily and cheaply replaced if I screwed it up. Timney triggers aren't terribly expensive but not disposable either.

Thank you for the insight. There is a guy on eBay that sells straight drop in 3 position safeties specifically for the Husqvarna 1600 series actions. Still pricey at $190 but having something guaranteed to fit is enticing.

 

[ChromeHound]

Thank you for the insight. There is a guy on eBay that sells straight drop in 3 position safeties specifically for the Husqvarna 1600 series actions. Still pricey at $190 but having something guaranteed to fit is enticing.

All of this is quickly becoming a moot point. The trigger guards that I'm missing do not appear to be available anywhere in the US short of buying the whole rifle. Inter Surplus has them but does not ship here.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

A small ring Mauser trigger guard/bottom metal should fit your action. I would not think they would be that hard to find.

 

[ChromeHound]

I could be way off base, but my understanding is the bottom metal is a different shape which complicates stock fitting. Screw spacing is supposed to be the same though.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

You can probably buy a small ring Mauser stock and make it work with that action and small ring bottom metal. Sounds like the only difference MIGHT be the bolt release on Huskie. Can you post photos?

If you don't have a Huskie stock to drop it into, I'm not sure what the problem would be.

 

[ChromeHound]

At this point, all I have are barreled actions with bolts. Need to source stocks, trigger guards and triggers. I will also be putting on new barrels. I can post pics tomorrow when I get back to the shop. What part of the actions do you want to see?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

At this point, all I have are barreled actions with bolts. Need to source stocks, trigger guards and triggers. I will also be putting on new barrels. I can post pics tomorrow when I get back to the shop. What part of the actions do you want to see?

Bolt release side of action. From what I'm reading it looks like that MIGHT be the only impediment to just dropping those actions into an aftermarket small ring Mauser stock. If it drops into that stock it should take small ring Mauser bottom metal. Could be a workaround for your Huskie trigger guard dilemma.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Okay, I found images online. Yes the Huskie bolt release is different from Mauser but I think an aftermarket Mauser stock could be easily modified to accept it. The Huskie of course has a sliding side safety and you would have to modify the stock for that as well but both modifications should be very easy. I cannot see how either mechanical difference would affect using Mauser bottom metal for this rifle.

Edit: I see you plan to get rid of that side safety anyway so only modification would need to be done to bolt release area of stock and maybe inletting for a new trigger if that's in your plan.

What caliber are you looking at building?

 

[ChromeHound]

My first build is going to either be a 27 Nosler or a .270 WSM. I got lucky and won both reamers in a recent auction.

I will probably go with a Timney trigger as the originals were not known for being great. I will post pics of the side of the receiver tomorrow. From what I am seeing, it looks like there is a small tang that sticks up from the Mauser magazines that I will have to mill off but it's doable.