Beretta O/U's release the lever when a small button in the breech face is touched by the flat end of the top barrel. The gun is about completely closed when the lever trips, so it does not drag the locking pins over the breech. Holding the top lever, closing the gun, and releasing the lever quickly would do about the same thing as letting it snap. Easing would be different, and I too have suspected it might not be locked sufficiently when eased.

I tend to ease when just looking at a gun and let it snap if it is going to be fired. Some new guns are so stiff they are hard to close w/o snapping.