Just a side note if anyone is interested. In addition to automatically setting the safety when cocking, it has this kind of quirky "half open/half closed" position. When it's in this position, the action is closed just enough so the loaded rounds won't fall out.
I called Remington and they said they didn't know why. On an odd whim, I emailed Biakal directly. Less than 48 hrs. later I got a response (in English) that it the design was on purpose as an extra safety feature. The rifle can be safely carried while cocked with loaded rounds in the chambers with the action in this "half" setting without worrying about them falling out.