ok, I used the pliers and it worked. It only needed a little tug. I field stripped it to check the spring and it is sitting on that top lip like was suggested. So I put it back together and started playing with it..
I locked it back to the rear and still had same problem but, instead of pressing on it I applied light tapping pressure to the BHO lever (left to right) and it drops down. So it works but I still need to wiggle it a bit with the bolt pulled all the way to the rear and it drops and the bolt goes forward.
With practice I could become fluent with the technique, it helps a lo