Probably sitting for a few years cocked or a bad spring from the factory. Glad you got it going.
Definitely a bad spring. This model is new, last year perhaps. I suspect they spec light springs to ease cocking effort. It’s still pretty easy, just a touch heavier than before. Hundred year-old Mausers sit cocked for decades and still work, and my old pre-64 was thirty-something when I got it, probably cocked most of the time.
There are no aftermarket ones for the Portugal rifles, or none I found anyway. Only one spring for both long and short actions too.
Anyone else that encounters this should be sure to ask for the retainer when they order a spring, ‘cause you’re gonna be dropping it some😛.
