hmm... again, I might be missing something.
Here's how I've been taking apart my STI 1911s (Trojans and Ranger IIs).
First, I move the slide backwards to line up the second notch from the front with the slide-stop. Then, holding the whole thing in place with my right hand, I pop out the slide stop. Then the whole slide with barrel and recoil spring comes off in one piece. It's the same way I take apart my Kahr MK40s and when I owned one, my Kahr PM9.
The tool I'm talking about isn't for that (but I'm sure you know that).
After I've taken the slide and all off, to get the captured recoil spring out, I have to compress the spring pushing the guide rod out the front exposing a little hole. Then I put a bent paper clip in the hole, and then the whole recoil spring and guide rod slide out the back, revealing the barrel which can then be taken out easily.
It's really easy - don't get me wrong. It just seems that the tool used could be improved a bit.
The slide assembly is removed in one piece already.
The Glock is a little easier to take apart I'll admit, but I'm learning now why people love 1911s. They're fantastic. On a sidenote - I got tired of hearing the 1911 vs Glock debate, so the easiest solution is to just own both.
Are you talking about a way to get the captured recoil spring separated from the slide without a tool? If so, I'm still not understanding (sorry).