First of all, clean all surfaces, (the tiny toothbrush on the end of GI cleaning brushes is ideal for this). If your spring was missing or partially broken off, there will be debris in the small channel the spring sits in. Work the spring in completely, pushing it down with the small end of the same brush or something similar.
You should have the spring firmly set within the channel before proceeding. New springs may stick up a bit. Use the same small end of the brush, (or some similar, non marring probe) and hold down the spring through the right side of the pistol while you slowly work the takedown lever through the left side. Wiggle back and forth along the arch that it would normally swing down within and slowly press inward.
You should be able to work the lever in using this method.
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