SC 1903A3 Safety lever

[micrometer]

My SC 03A3 numbered 471XXXX is finally being cleaned. It is sporterized.

I disassembled the safety from the bolt sleeve. The plunger/spring will not separate from the safety as my firearms assembly/disassembly manual by JB Woods says it will. Now that I'm putting it back together I can't get the plunger to override the safety to get it back into its track. I've tried using a bladed screw driver to lift the plunger up so I can get it back into its track but I can't lift it high enough.

Does anyone know of a way to get this safety back into the bolt sleeve?

Thanks,
Mike