Yeah I checked, sometimes the metal shaft is hollow and there's a teeny-tiny bouncy spring that likes to eff off under the floor boards, not in this case, it's solid.
I had also considered the fact that the metal body part probably has some give but that means it all depends very much on the exact mating position and retention.
All in all, I've spent more energy typing than just ordering new switches.
I'll just order a bunch and get over it...