Help! Need to field strip a compensated STI open gun.

[Mikey_b]

This is my first post so be nice.

Every other handgun I've owned I've taken pride in being able to fully field strip with no help from anyone. Maybe its a macho thing. ;) I've tried everything but I cannot figure out how to take the barrel out of a used STI race gun I bought. My Kimber has the standard barrel bushing that you twist near the muzzle. This gun has no bushing, it looks as if the bull barrel and 7 port compensator is one piece. Here is the details of the gun. STI frame, Caspian slide, Nowlin barrel and some type of compensator. I noticed a small hole in the side of the guide rod so I'm thinking you may have to stick a paperclip or something in there. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[John Lawson]

Open one loop of the paperclip. Bend a 3/16" 90 degree leg. Insert the leg in the rod when the slide is locked back. Remove magazine. Push the slide until the slide stop lines up and push it out. Run slide forward and off frame. The rest is obvious.
Re-assemble with the paperclip in place. This takes spring pressure off when re-aligning.

[Mikey_b]

Thanks! That did the trick. My family is now giving me a tough time. It cost that much and you need a freaking paperclip to take it apart!!?? :)