Sounds like you have an ejector gun. Correct?
If so, yes, they must be cocked back in order to install the forend. You must push back on them and also lift up on the two sear tips in the face of the forend iron. Kind of tricky to do with two hands. A padded vise do hold he forend is a big help.
Is this gun new to you and it has this issue or did it just start acting up?
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B. Dudley
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