AlaskanPH, first of all, welcome to this more than friendly site. Now to your problem, do you have a Krieghoff dealer or rep close by to you? Or do you have to go down to Wa. State? In either case, I'd ask them if there was any way you could have them smooth it up for you. I've handled some stiff ones and after just looking at them, I just put them down and walked away. If it takes that much effort to break it open, then it may need some work. I don't know how much shooting it needs to smooth out a bit.