Can't attach forend

[George Brown]

I removed the forend on my Parker with the hammers released. What do I have to do to be able to put the forend back on?

[Harry Collins]

George,

Is your Parker an ejector gun? If so you may need to recock the ejectors on the forend. You can do that by pushing them against a piece of wood like the work bench.

Harry

[Dean Romig]

Be very, very careful in cocking the ejector hammers. Many a forend has been damaged when it slips off the corner of the workbench. Instead, use a stout hardwood dowel about 8" or so in length and while firmly holding the forend in one hand press the dowel firmly against one hammer at a time until it cocks.

[Destry L. Hoffard]

Come on Dean, you know Collins is too poor to afford something as expensive as a dowel. When he says "work bench" he really means the edge of the seat on the outhouse.

DLH

[George Brown]

I used a small piece of oak to push the circular spring loaded part and moved a small part in the end of the forend which locked it open so that I could re-assemble the gun. Thanks for your help. Now does anyone know where I can find info on Parkers that were upgraded by Pachmayr?

[Harry Collins]

Destry,

Shhhh.....I didn't want to be the cause of jelousy.

Harry

[Dennis Potter]

The ejector tumblers (hammers) on many guns can trip when the forend is off the gun. A technique to remember that seems to work in most cases, and is safe and easy to do; take the barrels off, pull the extractors out on the barrels to the ejected position and replace the forend assembly on the barrels and latch it. Then take a piece of wood, rest the muzzles on the carpet and and gently push each extractor back into the recess. The tumblers should now stay in a cocked position, and allow reassembly of the gun. But, if an ejector sear is broken it may not stay cocked and need repair.

[Dean Romig]

Thanks Dennis. I guess not many of have ever thought of that method. Sounds foolproof.

[George Brown]

Thanks, great advice. George

[henderson Marriott]

This did work, in a sense-for me. BUT, when the forend assy is placed on the
barrels and latched, it will not allow the barrels and forend to reassemble to the
rest of stock action. The end of the forend is in the way. Take the forend off, rejoin the
barrels to the action, extractors closed in as described. Then, when the barrels are almost
closed completely-attach the forend and latch. "Seems to work in most cases". Indeed.
But not easily.
This Parker is a 1920s VHE 2 7/8(3 in) inch chambers. Stiff and about 95% condition.

Parker forends are like LC Smith forends. Take them off when you must- but not too often. Cock the hammers first.
Fox forends work easier and are tough-IMHO-Thanks Dennis! (I like to resurrect old dead threads and old or ancient shotguns!)