To get the baseplate off you push the springplate in and the "forks" pop out at an angle and the baseplate can now be removed. Easy peezy.

Slide the base plate off, and yes the springplate on the spring IS threaded on the spring.

To reassemble push the spring thru the magazine (only goes one way)....push the springplate down into position with the forks on the outside of the magazine, slide the baseplate back on and all the way back and you see the "forks" angled (just as you did when you initially pushed the baseplate to get it all off). Now with one hand hold the front nose of the baseplate on, pushing backwards, and use a screwdriver to slide one of the forks backwards, this will line both "forks" up straight and it will spring load back into the grooves in the base plate. Baseplate is now locked on. DONE.

Super easy once you get the hang of it. Dumb *** design.

Pics if you need.