Am I missing something ?
Daryl; Hard to say without a real examination, but yes I believe you are. I think the hammers would not contact the rods upon falling, the purpose for moving them forward. Since the rods are already pulled forward (by the pins) if the hammers contacted them this would stop or cushion the firing pin blow causeing misfires. Upon opening the "Forend" pushes the rods backwards against the hammers, thus their springs. The pins would be simply cammed up by the rods but under no spring tension, at least that's the way I am visulizing them, thus no assistance in opening.

Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra