Beretta 1935 - another new love!

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

I field stripped it and cleaned it well especially the channels and the slide.

I can (with my weak hands) just barely pull the barrel into battery, it clicks as it goes home. But usually I can't get a good grip

However

I put the barrel in place and pull it slightly forward not quite into battery, where I start to slip in my grip, I then release the safety and the barrel "slams" forward and pushes the barrel into battery and everything lines up.

I wonder if the slide rails etc were dirty and just slowing it enough.