Greetings all. Can someone recommend a tool or method to depress the 1911 plunger spring? I use a screw driver and it keeps sliding off of the spring when I attempt remove or insert the safety. When the screw driver slides off the spring, it scratches the finish-not a good thing!
The gun I have is an Springfield Armory G.I. m1911. And that beautifully parkerized finish is getting scratched up!
I slip a credit card or a a piece of string under the safety then pull the safety out- you'lll need to put the safety to the 'on' position first and might have top wiggle it back and forth a bit. The safety will get easier to remove after you've taken it out and replaced it a few times. You don't need to lever the detent spring down to remove the safety, the detent hold its firmly in place, but it will 'give' if you pull on the safety firmly.
Also slip a thin credit card under the slidestop/release lever when trying to remove or replace it- it will help prevent getting a half moon scratch on your frame (known as an 'idiot mark')