If the slide is shy going into battery, and is difficult to open, then the bullet is contacting the rifling. The SWC are working where the ball aren't because of the narrower bullet profile.
Yeah, that's a dead giveaway that the OP is "jamming the lands." Perhaps a good thing on a benchrest bolt gun, not ideal on a self-loading pistol! Very, very common issue with short-throated guns, which CZ's generally are.