removing modules

hi there i was wondering if any of you have removed the module from inside a standard dx green laser pen, as i would like to make my laser more compact. the last module i tried to remove (forcefully removed to use host as barrel) required much banging and i am sure if the module was previosly working it wouldn't have been afterward, any tips or past experiences with removing modules.

My method is to sandwich the silver cap with the aperture in it between two pieces of wood, and place this in a vice. Once the vise is tightened down, rock the pointer back and forth until the cap comes loose. The wood is to protect the finish, so this is optional if you don't care how everything looks afterwards..

removing the cap is the easy bit, im talking about getting he brass module out is that possible ?.

In my experience the module should either slide out with the cap, or be just sitting loose in the host.. If possible, take some pictures of the pointer with the cap removed.. maybe I can tell you more if I see the problem