Field terminable ST format optical fiber connector

An ST format optical connector for terminating an optical fiber, comprising:

• a housing configured to mate with an ST receptacle or coupling, the housing having an ST bayonet-style format;
• a collar body disposed in the housing;
• a retainer disposed in the housing, wherein the retainer is disposed between the collar body and the housing, and wherein the housing is prevented from fully rotating about the collar body and retainer;
• and
• a fiber boot to restrict a lateral motion of the optical fiber, the fiber boot mountable to a portion of the retainer,
• wherein the collar body further includes a buffer clamp configured within a third portion of the collar body, the buffer clamp configured to clamp at least a portion of a buffer cladding of the optical fiber upon actuation;
• and a buffer clamp actuation sleeve configured to be received on an outer surface of the third portion of the collar body and configured to slidably actuate the buffer clamp, the buffer clamp actuation sleeve including a flange portion formed on one end thereof, and
• wherein the fiber boot further includes one or more access slots formed through the outer surface thereof configured to permit access to the flange portion of the buffer clamp actuation sleeve when the buffer clamp actuation sleeve is mounted on the buffer clamp.