Something I read today on the KCA Forum left me thinking some members have difficulty removing Krag bolts.

It is not hard to remove a Krag Bolt, (although some Krags have stiffer extractors than others). It is a matter of 'technique and timing'.

The legendary "Parashooter" does it so quickly in his video, that I don't know how he does it!

My approach is easy and just requires a strong right thumb (and ignoring minor momentary pain).

By the numbers:

1. Open your Krag's bolt and draw it to the rear until the 'hold-open pin' latches in its receiver notch.

2. Hold your Krag like a lawnmower handle, horizontally, with the barrel pointing to the right.

3. Hold the stock so the area in front of the trigger-guard is rested against your upper belly.

4. The left fingers are 'cupped' around the stock comb and the bolt cocking-piece. The left thumb pushes against the bottom of the bolt-handle.

5. The right fingers support the stock at the side-plate.

6. The loose right thumb pushes the extractor-claw away from you.
The left thumb pushes the bolt-handle, rotating the bolt counter-clockwise.

7. The inclined surface under the extractor will eventually assist bolt rotation until it stops.
Rearrange your grip and remove bolt.

It takes a lot more time to describe it than to do it. Installing the Bolt is even easier. Inclines and angles do the work.

That sure is a lot easier looking then some I've witnessed on videos using "tools".

It is Col. Krag with a 'chicken bib'.

Whig - You turned the thread into a food fight!

I've always cradled my Krag with the barrel pointing to the left, and pulled up on the extractor with the notch of the forward knuckle of my left index finger (and yes, still painful) but that's how I've always done it!  Of course, no one ever instructed me when I acquired my first Krag (I was about 20 years old at the time), and had to figure it out on my own.

Now... about the chicken, I'll take a bucket of original recipe... and NO WINGS please!

+1 Parashooter.  That is How I learned to remove the Kag bolt  when I was about 11 or 12.

butlersrangers wrote on Aug 21^st, 2019 at 2:48pm:

1. Camera remote control.
2. No need for speed. Once bolt is fully rotated, remove at leisure.

My fingers are wimpy and pruny, too.  Come to think of it, most of my muscles are misbehaving similarly.  I'll try a couple of tooth brushes…..I only have old ones.