That's right, the barrel is completely out already. He was JUST about to insert the barrel when it sproinged. We can get at the middle of the spring through the barrel aperture AND the ejection port with pliers, but whatever it did in there has that spring STUCK enough that it just ain't moving from either opening.
Dad talked with a friend of his who is a rep for Smith & Wesson, and has a fair bit of smithing experience (albeit mostly smithing Smiths....
). He thinks that cutting the spring is about the only way to unlock it. My idea was to go in through the barrel aperture in the slide, but he thinks we'll have better access through the ejection port. I had the Dremel with me last night, and I can get at the spring to cut it with no problem. I just wanted to wait to see if anyone else had any ideas, and for my hands to steady up.