The way I like to put the forend on a 21 is with both the ejectors & the hammers cocked. This puts the least stress on the forend & bbl lug and allows you to just guide the forend into place without having to compress any springs.
To do this (on an empty gun preferably with snap caps) drop both hammers & remove the forend & bbls. The ejectors will remain cocked.
Before reassembly cock the hammers by pressing the cocking levers against a block of wood (note that the top lever must be locked to the right for the hammers to cock) & assemble as you normally would. I find it much easier if neither the hammer or ejector springs need to be compressed in the process of assembly.
Like Buzz I find both the Anson & the Deely forend latch systems much nicer to use than the Winchester 21 which almost requires 3 hands to avoid dinging things up.
