I doubt it. The nature of the lock and spring is such that if there are any small burrs left on the surfaces of the locks a soft closing may not get you there. These rrifles have been notorious in past for coming from the factory dirty, there may simply be trash in the lock work preventing it from operating smoothly. But I wouldn't be concerned if the action required a good "snap" of the action to close solidly either. I've never been really gentle with my Handi's, I figure they are somewhat like the 94 Winchester, needing firm cycling to operate best.