From the description, it sounds like the barrel is bulged enough to prevent the slide from operating.
And also from allowing the slide to come back enough to be able to be lifted off of the back of the frame for removal.
So, you might as well give it a try and force the slide rearward over the bulge.
One way would be to use a piece of hardwood, with a hole through it of barrel diameter.
Place that over the barrel and against the front of the slide and whack away on the wood.
What's to lose?
The worse that can happen is that the slide cracks at the front and you'll need to replace both barrel and slide, as you say.
Hopefully, the barrel will yield instead.
__________________
Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez:
“Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”
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