Is there a better way? I've got it back together twice now, but there must be a better way. I see on the STI site that the 5" guns have a solid guide rod, w/ a hole for a paper clip, but that doesn't seem to be offered for the 6". I thought of drilling a hole in the 2 piece rod for a paper clip, but maybe the rod's too long to get out.....?? On my second try, I clamped the slide in a padded vice, and that helped a lot.
I was having a tremendous amount of trouble putting a 24# spring into my Clark 460 Rowland with a 2 piece guide rod. I saw the video below and talked to Clark and an Associate of Clark's is selling the kit below which makes the task simple.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV90BYtHZ8A
http://shootoutlane.net/#!/Gun-Parts-&-Accessories/c/13124921/offset=0&sort=normal
I also have a V16 Springfield longslide in 45 Super. It runs a 22# spring and a 2 piece guide rod. It uses 5" springs and a reverse plug so drilling a hole would not help.
I have found thay using a padded vise and a little better technique and the process is difficult but not all that bad.
I have a Perfect 10 and it gets easier the more times you do it. I only recently stopped putting a glove on my right hand to prevent the pain and occasional bleeding I would experience. I install it like the STI video shows. I could not find another way to do it. It would be easier if it had a barrel bushing like my Dan Wesson Bruin.
I see STI stopped producing the Perfect 10. I expect parts and service to the pistols will still be available in the future. If not, SVI may be able to help us.