Quote Originally Posted by bsekf View Post
OP says; The rifle is an unfired Stevens 200. Unfired sounds like NEW, maybe a trip back to Savage is in order?
It is indeed an unfired Stevens 200 although it was purchased in 2012. I can't confirm that it was ever capable of 10+ cocking cycles without becoming excessively hard to cock.

I can confirm that the Savage 111 never had this problem before I tested the Stevens parts in it. I put 40-50 rounds through the Savage last year including killing 3 deer with it. I can't see or feel any damage on the Savage firing pin assembly, cocking piece pin, cocking piece sleeve or BAS.