I've had mine since Feb 013 and it may be a little easier but not much. Of course I don't shoot weekly and therefore clean often. I would bet removing and reinserting would help and if fact that is just what I'm going to do this week. I hadn't thought of until just now. I use a little block of wood local and slightly oversize to the pin to hold and rest the pin against and then pick up the whole assembly (gun and stick) and bring crisply on the bench to push the pin back to remove. I like that little cm9 so much I'm going to have it clutched in my crossed hands when I'm buried. On second thought, will they let you in heaven with a gun in your hand? On third thought, I might have to shoot my way in.