I have a 3 1/2" gold and haven't put a shell in it that it wouldn't cycle properly. I have shot alot of skeet and cheap loads out of it with no problems. You may want to do as cma3366 and big country suggested. Break it completely apart...I would even say take the trigger mechanism out and clean up in there as well. Comes outvery easily....nothing to it.Get all the factory gunk off of it and put a light coating of rem oil or a quality gun oil of some kind. I have shot 60 or 70 3 1/2 turkey loads out of mine. You may want to put a box or two of those through it after you clean it real good. I guarantee it will loosen it up some.