M1 Carbine Problem

[Fudgie Ghost]

Help! Finally purchased an IAI M888 M1 Carbine. Took it apart to clean and lube, and get familiar with process and parts. I've gotten everything back together---except: how do you get the slide spring and guide rod back into the hole in the receiver? I don't want to bend the guide rod, but for the life of me, I can't get the set up to fit between the receiver hole and the slide indent. Am I just a doofus, or is there some trick to it? You can e-mail me or I'll look back here for replies.

[George Stringer]

FG, there's no real trick to it. Look for something else stopping it. Burrs, something else out of line or in the wrong postition. George