Thanks a ton guys!!!! ALL the replies were excellent. I added a couple of pics of the gun. Yes, it's a former CHP gun I bought off Gunbroker. I am 71 years old, so my hands don't have the strength I used to have. And I've been mainly taking apart 1911 pistols, which is VERY easy, since you can release the tension on the spring before you take it apart. I will try out the suggested methods and let ya'll know if I have any luck. Worst case scenario, I will wrap the slide in cardboard and clamp it in a vise and then slide the grip until I can get it to the correct takedown position.
Thanks again,
Dep