Hi, W & S workbench hands had a special tool for removal of the front plug. It was a piece of 1/2" sq steel very sharply bent through 90 degrees like an allen key, long leg about 6 " maybe a bit longer; short leg no more than 1". The short leg was machined down to be a snug fit in the plug slot to avoid damage and if needed you could give it a really hefty blow with a hammer and get no damage; the ''offered'' method by the company is indeed as has been suggested, remove the barrel, turn it around, put the pivot section back in the slot and use the barrel as a lever; ONLY TRY THIS WITH HAND PRESSURE, YOU COULD BEND THE BARREL or WORSE BEND THE PIVOT BLOCK. [I have seen the latter on too many occasions] when the barrel has been hit or an extension tube is used. The end plugs were machine fitted and very tightly too, and a blow/shock proves more successful than a steady pressure.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
abellringer