Has anyone encountered this problem on a S&W 6906: During Reassembly -- Recoil Spring guide slipped-off indent on barrel -- can't remove slide now. Any suggestions on how to approach this issue? I don't want to force the slide forward/off, and risk damaging the recoil-spring/guide.

When this happens on another of my (non-S&W) pistols, I simply push the slide forward a BIT, so that I can see & access at least some of the guide rod/spring on the underside of the slide and then attempt to help "guide" it carefully back in to place in it's notch.

I do agree that you don't want to bend or otherwise "damage" anything, I understand that fully. However, the recoil spring and guide rod naturally live a very violent life AND a replacement spring is simply not expensive and a new spring is just never a bad idea.

Thanks Sevens -- I contacted S&W Support -- they basically told me that I needed to apply whatever force necessary to move the slide forward (there's no magical-trick, short-cut, or expert-tip -- just force it until it sounds expensive) Like you said, "The recoil-spring exists in a somewhat harsh/abusive state!"

Haha, I use a very similar argument and terms when coaching new handloaders when it comes to building semi-auto handgun ammo. The ammo gets treated harshly and thrown around a lot and you have to construct it with that in mind.

And you only do that once! Very careful ever after.