Are you in love with the particular pistol? If not seems easier and probably cheaper to sell/trade into a gen 2/5.....I also am not a fan of finger grooves....
I haven't made it to the shop but I have pm'd him a couple times asking questions and he's always took the time and helped me out. Good guy in my book.
It's very hard to explain. YouTube IS your friend, just gotta find right video if you can't figure it out. Don't even bother reading Ruger manual, it'll just confuse you even more.
It won't go back in unless previous you pointed barrel up towards ceiling and let the "pin" thingy go into place correctly. It take seconds to take apart and very easy but sucks putting back together.