Here's a slightly different way to detail strip the slide. A little bit easier, I think, because I use the firing pin safety plunger to help control the firing pin:
I have fairly large (read: fat) fingers but I can press the plunger inward (up, as the slide is oriented) with my thumb, instead of a punch. Then with the plunger pressed and held, I use either a punch or a hex key (if you happen to have hex grip screws) to push the firing pin all the way forward. Then release the plunger. Release the firing pin. It should stay partially forward, clear of the firing pin stop. Use the hex key/punch to pull down on the firing pin stop. Then, put one hand behind the slide, cupped, and with the other hand press hard and fast on the plunger again. The firing pin and spring should fly backward, onto your cupped hand. If you didn't press hard enough on the plunger, the spring may not stay with the firing pin.
Then comes the slightly tricky part: you need to move the extractor backward just a fraction, to release the plunger and plunger spring. From the breechface, push back on the hook of the extractor, until the rear of the extractor stands proud, a couple of fingernails' worth. You may need to wiggle it back and forth until they drop clear. Note the position of the extractor when they do, because you'll need it when reinserting them. Then remove the extractor the rest of the way, and you've taken the slide apart. Assemble in reverse order. Again, you can capture the firing pin with the plunger, to insert the firing pin stop nice and easy.
For the frame, you can find a video showing how to deal with those pesky levers. A couple of tips: if you just rest the frameon a table on its right side, then push the levers around with a punch, one at a time, you might find it easier. Another one is to use a special short pin for the sear and disconnector, holding them aligned and in place, while keeping the lower FP safety lever in check. You can buy these special short cross pins, or you can make your own, using the plastic shaft of a cotton bud*, cut to the right length.
*obviously cotton buds come handy when cleaning your slide's firing pin and extractor tunnels, as well as the disconnector hole on the frame. But be sure to take plenty of cotton buds from the bathroom cupboard BEFORE your hands get dirty with lead deposits, to keep the peace in your household..!
Too many people miss the silver lining because they're expecting gold.
M. Setter
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