hey chef mark, I have a mossberg 500 that does exactly what you say that your 835 does. However I have an 835 also and it functions perfectly and its also able to cycle 2 3/4" , 3" and 3 1/2" shells perfectly.I dont really know what causes this but I know thatthe gundoes this to me more when I use federal ammo than anything else. I would assume some mechanism inside these is catching. Since I have started using remington rounds and winchester rounds I have noticed alot less of this happening. Again...likeI said...I really dont know why this is but im sure a gunsmith could find whats wrong. Good luck with the gun...I hate to see any gun thrown away.