I bought the reduced power mainspring kit from Wolff.

I am more concerned with lightening up the DA pull and just want to replace the mainspring at this time. I am leary of taking off the sideplate as I've heard that can be tricky.

Can the mainspring be replaced without taking off the sideplate? (By reducing tension screw, sliding the spring off to the side at the grip end, and taking it out to be replaced in the reverse order)

If I do remove the sideplate and want to put in the 14lb rebound spring(which I've read is the right one to use, reduces SA pull by about 1lb)...do I really need to buy the $20 spring tool from Brownells to accomplish this one time task? It seems that I could manage with a small screwdriver...or am I kidding myself?