Non-ferrule damaging field removable guide pin

A fiber optic connector, comprising:

• a housing having an opening;
• a fiber optic ferrule inserted at least partially into the opening of the housing and having a guide pin opening with a first diameter, the guide pin opening configured to receive a guide pin having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end insertable into the guide pin opening at an end face of the fiber optic ferrule, and the distal end insertable into a second fiber optic ferrule for mating the fiber optic ferrule with the second fiber optic ferrule;
• and
• a pin clamp located behind the fiber optic ferrule and configured to retain the proximal end of the guide pin upon full insertion of the guide pin into the fiber optic ferrule,
• wherein the guide pin has a cylindrical body with a guide pin groove adjacent to the proximal end, and a second diameter less than the first diameter of the guide pin opening, the proximal end of the cylindrical body having a first portion having a profile that is related to an arc with a radius equal to or smaller than the first diameter and a second portion having a profile defined by a straight line associated with the arc, the second portion being disposed between the proximal end and the first portion.