If it's been sitting for a long time, chances are that any grease or oil in the striker channel is congealed, and there may be rust in there too. Time to dismantle the bolt and clean. At least take it out and soak it for a while in penetrating oil. My favorite concoction is Ed's Red bore cleaner, a home brew of equal parts acetone, ATF, kerosene, and paint thinner. The solvents will dissolve almost anything, and the ATF leaves a lubricating and rust preventing residue.
(A mix of ATF and acetone has repeatedly been proven to be the most effective penetrating oil known to man, BTW. Only problem with it you have to keep it in a tightly capped metal container, or the acetone evaporates!)
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