As to 3-position safeties, Syracuse Arms (and perhaps other companies) also offered a 3-position safety on special request. I have only seen one example of the Syracuse gun with the 3-position safety; so it was not popular, but I agree that the confusing nature of these devices in the "heat" of shooting could be dangerous (although I admit I haven't heard of anyone being accidentally shot with a Smith gun because of safety position confusion). I personally prefer a non-automatic safety; and had the vast majority of my doubles converted to manual safety operation. Interestingly, Smith guns with the Hunter One-trigger option have a manual safety because the trigger mechanism would not permit the installation of a push bar attached to the top lever; so one will not find a Smith gun with the HOT option and a 3-position safety.
