[wterrell]

No problem, Ron. Making a hard-hitting, pertinent challenge is difficult, and I just wanted to assure you that I enjoyed your well designed post.
The concept of 'tongs' is old. (Salad tongs are a totally different concept.) In the 20th century they were widely used in the outdoor industries such as the oil field. One type of wrench that I know as 'tong' is an automotive oil filter removal wrench (stylized but same principle). Simplified plastic versions may be purchased at any modern outlet such as Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc. Homemade versions may be made with leather, or webbed strap, a little wire, and some sturdy object for a handle, most desireably, metal.
Another portion of the equation for removal and replacement of the barrel is the barrel wrench.
The last ingredient is a little muscle.
With this wrench you can break and make-up very tight joints such as a Luger barrel and receiver.