Stevens 311's are built like tanks - heavy and very strong. If is it fairly new, it may be tight from lack of use. However, beyond metal-to-metal tight, there are a couple of things that will make it too tight.
First there is your lever spring; there are your 2 hammer springs; and the automatic safety. Your single shot Baikal probably has a visible hammer, so you are not cocking hammers when you open it.
Polish the metal to metal parts where the barrel locks up and hinges. Then lighten or replace with a lighter spring the lever spring. Lastly, you can put much lighter hammer springs in the 311's rather than having to lighten the existing ones. The entire spring kit from Lee's is only around $15 US. If you are using the gun for cowboy action, you can also disconnect the automatic safety, which will reduce the opening friction, and will prevent you from trying to shoot with the safety on. It will still work, it will just be manual, not automatic when the gun is opened.
If unsure of all these suggestions, take the gun to a gunsmith - it's a really simple and inexpensive job.
