Update - Brad was kind enough to provide the following idea: use a quick clamp placed over the forend latch and the barrels and squeeze down hard. Tap the barrels on a 2x4. I messed around with this method for a week or so with no luck. Today, I tried again and tapped the forend with a plastic mallet. The lug finally flipped and the forend is off. Slight damage to the locking mechanism, but a much better fix than breaking off the forend wood. Thanks Brad!!!