Howa Mini - anyone else hate the safety lever?

[PA_Probe]

I have 2 Howa mini actions. One in 223 and the other 6.5 grendel. I am overall pleased with the rifles, the triggers are probably the best factory triggers I have seen, the action is smooth, I swapped both to DIP bottom metals and now everything feels solid and smooth operating. But the safety lever is so dang stiff on both of mine and that flat metal top just digs into my thumb terribly when I have to push it. My son, who is 8, is setup to use the 223 this year for deer (1 down so far), he cant even move them by himself (not necessarily a bad thing).

Anyone have any suggestions on how to smooth them up or can the lever be swapped to something like a Remington 700 with the metal "button" on the top?

[A5BLASTER]

First I have ever heard of this issue.

Could it be it is contacting something in the stock?

Maybe something Elsa is making contact and it is putting pressure on other parts like the safety?

[PA_Probe]

It was stiff before I switch to the DIP bottom metal and I remember it being stiff out of the stock when I swapped it in as well. I cleaned off the exterior with gunbrite spray as well.

[LRRPF52]

Mine works just fine. Very easy to manipulate, with positive click feel.

[PA_Probe]

yeah that is not how mine are. Mushy, hard to push and clicks are not noticeable. My remington 700 safeties feel like silk compared to these.

[Frontier Gear]

Contact LSI about it or see if you can test another one somewhere. Mine are "okay", but I'm not a fan of the stamped sheet metal. We talked to Matt at LSI about this before and he said that he would look into an option like they use for their Webley and Scott line of products, which are really just a fancy Howa 1500 with a different trigger and safety. I'm sure that it isn't on the top of his priority list though.

[PA_Probe]

I pulled the action out of the stock and it did seem a bit better. There is a definitive rub mark on the side of the trigger housing.
I inspected the stock and it did seem to have a bulge on the inside channel where the red dot is located for the safety. I filed it smooth and it seems to be better now. Still stiffer than I would like but that could be that the safety lever isnt as ergonomic as the remington's I am used to.

[Nodak]

Mine seems OK but I have a pre-HACT and they are much much smoother and easier to use.

[Sixoeight]

I've asked this same question before. The feel is cheap and the look is worse. I love the rest of the rifle but the safety is rough. It's personal opinion but I certainly wish is had a knurled nub instead of a bent piece of sheet metal for your thumb. Wouldn't cost much to make a knurled piece like you see on the Timney trigger replacements. It's not a deal breaker though just a "I wish" item for me

[Stevil]

In 2 years of owning my grendel I never even used the safety once, I don't recall even moving it and it was only last week when a mate was helping me reload my rifle that I saw him use it when we were checking the the feed and chamber of some 100gr TTSX.

[bachekermooni]

I was told by Timney today that their trigger for HOWA 1500 does NOT FIT MINI actions.

[A5BLASTER]

I was told by Timney today that their trigger for HOWA 1500 does NOT FIT MINI actions.

There is a post on SH that say it does, you have to open the trigger slot in the stock some and may need to dremel a lil on the trigger guard.

Easyier and cheaper way is the howa spring kit on ebay.

[cwlongshot]

Mine works perfectly Actually I choose the Lil Howa BECAUSE ofits three position safety!! Tired of loosin boolitsin my Ruger Americans!
I do dislike its cheap looking stamped steel.

I bet its rubbin somewhere.

CW