Phil, the top lever should move to the open position just as if it were attached to the barrels. It went to the center because there was no resistance of a barrel being there. Cleaning the locks has nothing to do with with the top lever screw, just remove the two sideplate screw on the one side and the one from the other (Featherweight) and if the sideplates do not come off take the longer screw and thread it into the sideplate with the one hole and pull it off. Then take a slender punch or screwdriver and look through the hole in the wood and tap the other sidplate off. You can then do all the cleaning you want on the sidelocks and clean some of the internal area around where the sidplates are. Also before you do any of this make sure the gun is re-cocked before taking the sideplates off or the hammers will hit the firing pins and you won't be able to get the sideplates on. If you have any problems, let us know. The first time is the hardest, at anything.