The handle on the Atari 5200 controller was pressed onto a metal shaft (not GOLD) with a machine and is VERY hard to remove. Atari Service Centers used to have a special tool supplied by Atari 30+ years ago to remove these handles. If you have a bad rubber boot or any of the moving plastic parts under the joystick that need replacement, the joystick handle MUST be removed. This tool is the BEST and even better than what Atari used to supply in our opinion!