The great skill for this problem, just may reguire a gunsmith for me. I have had the gun myself about 5 yrs. I was told that before me the guns was a back up gun, for another trap shooter, but he rarely shot it. I have about 1500 shots through it. Guessing from what the previous owner said, he did not put that many shoots through it. There is just no wear present on metal or wood. But still it is a drag, that when the gun gets warm you have to assist opening it over your knee. I have tried all the things mentioned in your first paragraph. Thanks for the response!