I don't know of any "threaded rod" to turn on a forend. Sounds to me the smith peened (stretched) the arm of the forend lug.
I was hoping this was not the case as well. I only have experience on lower end Spanish Boxlocks and Miroku guns and the pseudo A&D forend releases on one of those if I recalled could be adjusted by a threaded rod behind the button in the forend. That was some years ago but either way I was concerned about the fix being tightening the forend and the gun now being stiff to open.
I appreciate everyones advice and I intend to drop it completely, I am far from an expert on this but know just enough to avoid some pitfalls...and probably fall right in some others!
