I don't think cleaning will be a big deal UC. I expect to do it with the barrel mounted. But if it turns out it's better to remove the barrel that will be no big deal. It would involve removing three screws from the sideplate to open the side of the breechblock, then removing the quarter inch barrel mounting bolt with a 7/16" box end wrench. (Heck, as long as you have the .54 barrel off you may as well put the .45, .50, or .58 barrel on and shoot a few more targets. )