I more typically post in the 1903 section on this forum, but I am a frequent competitor at matches with Garands and even more frequently with M14s. Both rifles are challenging and enjoyable in their own ways as you all know. One common challenge that both rifles share that I don’t enjoy, is getting the bolts disassembled for cleaning and then put back together. I’ve been a machine design engineer for 30 years and I’ve recently been focused on additive manufacturing at my paying job as well as my personal interest. The combination of interest/needs finally allowed me to produce an assembly/disassembly tool that hadn’t really been practical/affordable to consider for low volume manufacturing. I’ve shared the tool in a few other places, but thought that it might be of interest to this crew too.
For both rifles I prefer the M10 tool and follow what the FM teaches. It works perfectly. I just did one three days ago to teach a guy how to strip his bolt with the M10 tool.
Many thanks for making this tool. I always wondered why the US military had a bolt tool of this type for the M1 Carbine but not the M1 Rifle and later the M14. Thx, Steve762
For both rifles I prefer the M10 tool and follow what the FM teaches. It works perfectly. I just did one three days ago to teach a guy how to strip his bolt with the M10 tool.
Without a doubt, that tool does a fine job. There are other aftermarket tools as well that have their strengths.
My target (and I think it was met) was to have something that did not require strength and dexterity to operate. All the spring forces are controlled by the screw, leaving both hands available as needed. It is small and light enough to be handy in the range bag and the tool box.
The advantage of the M10 tool is the ability to change or replace bolt parts in the field without disassembly of the rifle-- this would include replacing the firing pin, extractor or ejector.
But working on M1 or M14 riles in your shop, Mr Humprey's tool is ideal
I broke down and bought the tool. One of those great and necessary purchases that you never realized how much you needed it till you finally had it. Seems like every time I sweep under the bench, or clean and organize a shelf in the shop I find an ejector or extractor spring that went flying before I had the tool.
PM
Originally Posted by 
