Mine did not cycle easily when I first got it, and frankly it still does not, but it is getting better the more I shoot and clean it. I too diassembled, polished with brasso unitl super slick, and lubed with a light coat of tetra grease on the bolt internal surfaces, locking lugs, and for lack of a better term the two groove wings, along with a coating all reciever rails with very light rem oil coat, plus cycling about 1000 times (not exaggerating here) it finally is starting to loosen up and pull easier. Still a bear sometimes to pull back once fired, especially from a seated position at the bench. Cycles pretty easily if the firing pin is cocked. I guess I just had to keep in mind that these rifles were built to be operated during the stress of combat with force and vigor and the technique taught to soldiers of that time period were to slam the bolt home and rip it open. I don't think they had finess in mind. Still a great rifle once you figure out its quirks.
