Walt, The hammers MUST be in the cocked position on a hammerless gun before attempting to replace the fore end. Attempting to replace the fore end otherwise, you will more than likely bend the baker spring or split the wood on your fore end. If your hammers are not cocked , you can recock them by turning the cocking rods on the front of your receiver with a small cresent wrench. This not the first time this has happened and won't be the last. Good luck and remember it has to be cocked before taking it apart.