Working through old threads to learn what I can (recently bought a CW380 and a CM9). Had maybe a dozen failures to return to battery (by just a hair) on the second trip to the range for the .380, so thought new recoil springs might be worth a try, in case my preliminary break-in slide racking was too enthusiastic. Wish I'd seen this thread before putting on the new springs last night. I ended up using a Quick-Grip clamp, between the slide end and the spring guide flange (basically replacing my fingers) to compress the springs. I pushed an obstructing coil out of the way with the tip of a nail through the guide hole, and the guide came right on through. Then the flange can be slide from the pad of the clamp over onto the barrel lug. Just putting another idea out there. And many thanks to everyone for all the great ideas spread throughout these threads.