Pulling the vortex piston out of a Hatsan 95

[RBQChicken]

My 95 Vortex QE always felt a little rough while pulling the barrel down to cock so I finally decided to pull the piston out and clean everything up, de-burr, and lube.  My question is, can you put direct pressure on the end of the safety button with your compressor?  There isn't a lot of room on either side of the safety button to catch the end plug.

Just wondering if the safety could be damaged if I put the spring compressor directly on the end of it. Thanks!

[LONGTIMESHOOTER]

YES IT WILL BREAK IT. DON'T DO IT.

[SteveP-52]

YES IT WILL BREAK IT. DON'T DO IT.

+1...I made a wood block in an L shape to use between the end of my compressor screw and the end plug. Works quite well and haven't damaged one yet in 9 rifles.

[RBQChicken]

Well, I tore it apart before seeing these posts.  I don't have a spring compressor so I used a bar clamp instead.  I figured it would be safe enough since there's only about an eighth or quarter inch of preload with these gas piston guns.  It worked.

When taking it apart, I just put the clamp against the safety button.  Didn't have to screw too much pressure on it in order to get the retaining pin out, I think because the end plug was sort of stuck in place.

Before putting the gun back together I fashioned a block of wood to put between the bar clamp and the end plug. It straddled the safety button so I wouldn't put any pressure on it.  Worked like a charm.  I got lucky because I had the holes lined up perfectly on the first try and was able to push the retaining in part way and then just lightly tapped it all the way in with a hammer.

The gun is back together and seems to be cocking smoother now.  Thanks for the replies!

[Wayne361]

As others have mentioned dont put any pressure on safety.    I drilled a hole in a wood block to accommodate safety within spring compressor...no issues.