Deforming a chain in anyway is never a good idea...

I love my park CT - 7; it made easy work of that chain. Plus in case of the pin being had by tough chains, they sell for dirt cheap, 2 for $3.

Just wondering; Is yours the one coated in titanium nitrate (the gold version)? Because I think the pins are a bit harder to remove partly because the chain is coated in the TI - N post assembly.