When the pistol went in the 1st time, it was determined the magwell / frame were out of dimension. So they reframed the pistol. New serial number and all. When they did this, they re-barreled it. So this is a new barrel and slide release. It has had the perceived recoil issue with both frame / barrel combinations. However I will check the chamber with a go / no go gauge just to eliminate another possibility I didn't consider. Thx.
JW