What Jason said is true. On some of the older models the two screws, one on each side of the cocking plate is where these cracks develop. If the gun has ejectors there is a lot of pressure put on that area even if the gun is cocked. What I suggest to do is remove the forend, making sure the gun is cocked, take the forend wood from the metal using the right size screwdrivers and put a drop or two of "crazy glue" into the hole of the tiny screws and then clamp or use surgical tubing if you have any and wrap the area where the cracks are and let it sit for a few hours. Won't make the crack lines disappear but should hold it better when the screws are put back in.