[e-luder]

There's only one way for that spring to be installed.

The side where there's bends should be the part that faces the safety. THere's a notch on the safety for it to fit onto. Jiggle the safety around so that you get it to sit properly.
The flat part sits beneath the slide lock. It only fits there and not anywhere else.

The spring ends shouldn't face down like how you pictured it. It should be parallel to the chasis.

That spring doesn't stick out when you attach your slide because it is covered by the slide lock. You're having difficulty attaching the slide because the slide lock is getting in the way like it SHOULD do.

Hold your slide lock down while putting the slide back on....