It's coming back to me. The oval shaped bolt release on the left side is on a pivot pin. It keeps constant pressure on that spring you showed. I think the spring has softened which seems like your hunch as well.
His is SR20 which appears to be conventional lock down bolt.
View attachment 664745
Yes, it is an SR20 which they no longer make.I think the models are SR21 (bolt) and SR30 (Straight pull). Not sure which he has, but either way it doesn't look like the photo you put up. That is an old JC Penney / Montgomery Wards style mauser that was indeed, made by Heym. (but is not like the modern renditions that have unique actions)
PS- it appears they also did make an SR20 for a period of time. It was a private labeled "Mauser 2000" rifle. I've never handled one so I can't comment on that one at all.
This is the problem with coil springs vs leaf springs. Coil springs when compressed can flex laterally causing the joint to sustain lateral pressure when the desired objective is only vertical movement. Undesired lateral friction = undue wear and tear on the joint. Leaf springs allow only vertical flexing = less friction points = minimal wear and tear. This bolt stop design is ... not that great.I would try a spacer washer under the spring first. Hard plastic or mild steel. Photos distort perspective but that part looks a bit bent to me, both on the round shift and the flat bar. Both in areas I would expect to be machined straight and at right angles. Without seeing that part in action, it is difficult to advise but it seems to me either the spring is compressed or the steel stop is bent or worn or possibly the bolt. A spacer washer- even cardboard will test the spring without any change to any parts