Ithaca Model 51 Featherweight - very rough charging handle

[XxWINxX94]

I recently acquired an Ithaca model 51 featherweight. It's a semi-auto 20ga with a full choke barrel and 2+1 capacity, this model appears to be from the '80s.

The gun is in great shape and doesn't appear to have any mechanical flaws. I haven't shot it yet but may test it out tomorrow.

The charging handle is very rough. I don't have a gauge to measure how much force it takes, but I estimate it's 3x what I would use for my old Belgian A5. When I first was playing with it I didn't want to push too hard thinking I might break it. But after cycling the action (with a lot of force) each time, the gun seems to be working.

I took it apart, thoroughly cleaned it and lubricated all the moving pieces. There doesn't appear to be anything broken, out of place, rusty, worn, etc, so I'm really not sure what's up.

Just wondering if anyone else has had the same experience with an Ithaca Model 51. I find it hard to believe this stiff of a charging handle is normal for this slightly old 20ga. I'll likely be taking it to the gunsmith if I don't get any tips here as I don't intend to strip down the fire control group on my own.

Thanks!

 

[XxWINxX94]

Update: tested out the gun today with some live ammunition. Charging handle still very rough and it appears that the bolt does not go into battery fully when the charing handle is pulled all the way back and released. Had to manually push the charging handle forward to get it into battery, after that it shot when pulling the trigger, but again did not go fully into battery with the next shell.