You can use a Callgrim gun assembly to pull switchpins from thicker Glyos pieces (Weaponeers, etc), which definitely makes it less likely to destroy your fingernails!

First attach the gun to the pin (as shown above) then try to use lots of force while bending it to the side (it's hard to describe, but you'll see what I'm talking about). The pin should come out far enough to make it fairly easy to remove manually.