I'm of the persuasion to take it apart for any surface work. If you can't get past the safety rod without help, respectfully, I suggest to you that you probably don't want to tackle this job since there are tougher things ahead in the disassembly and reassembly. I suggest having someone like a qualified gunsmith, familiar with boxlock doubles, take it apart and reassemble for you. I really believe that you will likely be disappointed in the damage you do to the gun, more so than the enhancement you make if you tackle this.
Thank you Chuck! I was trying to think of a good way to say exactly what you did.
