disassembling M1 bolt: Need a fixture or not?

[RCS]

I have used the M10 tool on alot of rifles and to remove the firing pin, you can shake it out of the receiver through the bolt recess, you do not have to remove the trigger housing.

[John Kepler]

I have used the M10 tool on alot of rifles and to remove the firing pin, you can shake it out of the receiver through the bolt recess, you do not have to remove the trigger housing.

Sure ya'do! When you drop that damned little extractor spring into the action! Always happens!

[RCS]

I use to play this game in the service: that I could remove then replace the firing pin in a M1 rifle without any disassembly of the rifle except for the bolt

[John Kepler]

I use to play this game in the service: that I could remove then replace the firing pin in a M1 rifle without any disassembly of the rifle except for the bolt

Your point being? I can change glowing yellow brake-pads in a race car in less than 45 seconds....doesn't mean I go get things nice and hot before I change pads in the Dakota!

FWIW, I've replaced busted extractors with the bolt in my M14 between strings at Camp Perry because I had to....not because it was the best way to do it, or even a very good idea. I've got a tool to do the job faster and better when I have the choice!

[RCS]

my point being - if you read my postings and were able to understand them -
is that you can disassemble the bolt, replace any parts in the bolt without disassembly of the M1 rifle except for the bolt

[John Kepler]

my point being - if you read my postings and were able to understand them -
is that you can disassemble the bolt, replace any parts in the bolt without disassembly of the M1 rifle except for the bolt

Okey Dokey...and my question that you haven't even attempted to answer was WHY? Even on a bedded comp rifle the job is MUCH easier with the bolt out of the rifle...you just pop out the trigger group and pull the bolt! So, unless you've got some other explanation, your little "skill" is in the same logical order as being able to peal an orange standing on your head....interesting but largely useless!

[Devil Dog]

I can field strip my M1 in the dark but I usually turn the lights on.

[Old Schoolr]

Okey Dokey...and my question that you haven't even attempted to answer was WHY? Even on a bedded comp rifle the job is MUCH easier with the bolt out of the rifle...you just pop out the trigger group and pull the bolt! So, unless you've got some other explanation, your little "skill" is in the same logical order as being able to peal an orange standing on your head....interesting but largely useless!

Stripping the bolt while still in the rifle is (for me) easier than w/ the bolt out. The rifle sitting in a rest functions as the 3rd hand I often wish I had.

[John Kepler]

Stripping the bolt while still in the rifle is (for me) easier than w/ the bolt out. The rifle sitting in a rest functions as the 3rd hand I often wish I had.

And a bolt assembly tool makes a second hand nearly unnecessary, let alone needing three! Also, a bench makes finding the nearly inevitable dropped/ejected extractor spring a lot easier to retain and find. However, lacking a bolt assembly tool, you are quite correct....in the rifle is easier than out.

[Coastie]

From the world's most cluttered garage, I was showing dissassembly to a buddy and, sure enough, the extractor spring goes sailing past the inert Triumph Spitfire and into the unknown.
I impressed the heck of my buddy [and myself] by finding that little old thing in two minutes. If I had not of found it then, it would of still been there when I gave the Spitfire away two years later.
Next week that buddy came over to help with something. Called me and suggested he might have a buyer for the Spitfire......He didn't realize it was gone!
All the times I stripped rifles after that event were in a closed room.
In high school ROTC some of the guys laid a helmet over the reciever when dissassbing bolts.
Paul