BSA piston circlip removal - argh *&^%*^&%*%*&^^%^%*....any tips?

[urx]

yep sadly its the spring ring type nasty little burger

I have some jewelers screwdrivers which are being abused somewhat on this
what makes it awkward is the bleedin circlip is at the bottom of the piston carrier with only the cocking slot to access through.
As you try to lever one side the other side moves round ....out of sight of the slot....the gap in the circlip is tiny which doesn't help....and it has no 'ears' to grab hold of
what needed is 3-4 hands ...one or two to stop the dang think rotating and the other 2 to leverl the ends up and prevent return

no danger of getting circlip pliers in to this little space even if they would have a fine enough point (grrr) what an unfriendly design

[Troubledshooter]

I have done a few of these, but not for some while.
If I remember correctly, one has to force the piston head away from the piston so the clip is tight against the piston, then after one has teased one end of the clip from it's groove with the aid of a screwdriver or other fine object, work the screwdriver round the clip until it's totally clear of it's groove. One can then push the head clear of the piston, but don't loose the clip in the process.
I have three such Scorpions and a Buccaneer waiting to be done at present, but haven't been able to raise the enthusiasm over the last eighteen months or so.

[urx]

The circlip removal is the absolute worst part

Stripping the scorp down is nice and straightforward
Removing the stuck piston which i was really worried about turns out to be pretty easy ( at least on the 3 Ive done)
Removal method is a 10mm diameter brass bar say 8” long inserted into the cocking slot then place rear of pistol main tube on a leather pad and hit the brass bar downwards gently with a mallet. Easy extraction on all three.

Buffer comes out as a nasty mess of confetti

Circlip on piston….good luck…looks easy but isnt.

Sigh

[deejayuu]

Not familiar with this application but in other similar set ups the ring/groove is designed so the ring can be compressed in its groove enough to pass through the hole as a unit.
If this is the case with the Scorpion a snug fit tube, on the guide, pushed onto/over the ring will do it.

[urx]

I shall give this a try and report back….if it works wonderful as picking away at it like this is a recipe for madness

[Troubledshooter]

The circlip will not compress enough as the groove is not deep enough. That would be too easy.

[slow_runner]

Consider drilling an access hole opposite the cocking slot so pressure on the circlip from that side may allow enough exposed ring to be lifted????