EWTHeckman--
you have to remember that the M14 as a descendant of the M1 comes from the days of top-loading bolt action rifles. The assumption of the day was that you'ld be shoving your reloads in the top with your right hand. while keeping your left hand on the forearm of the rifle.
Modern usage is predicated on detachable box magazines, which are typically removed by the left hand (or drop free) and are replaced by the left hand.
Thus, a user trained in more modern techniques will find himself swapping hands back and forth or twisting the rifle around to remove the old mag, insert the new one, and release the bolt on the fresh mag.
In contrast, an M-16 style bolt release allows the user to maintain a firing grip with the right hand throughout the process. remove old mag with left hand, rock in new mag, slap the release, and you're back in the game without so much as breaking your cheek weld.
original M14 bolt release on the left, Kaylee modified M16-style bolt release prototype on the right*:
answer your question?
-K
* the production version of the "Kaylee's Great Duh" is slightly different -- it follows the original profile on the bottom of the release, then angles out a touch at the top paddle. I found it gives better leverage on closing the bolt. It's also a might thicker, which makes it easier on the fingers when locking the bolt open. HOWEVER... the M14 mag doesn't like it when you use this thing on an empty magazine -- batters the follower too much. It'll work, just not healthy for the follower. But, since if you're using this thing, it's on a reloaded mag, the follower is 20 (10 for you CA folks I guess) rounds down the stack and wont be harmed.