The pin under the bridge is not necessarily smooth. It is, however, smoother than the same ball with the pin next to the ring finger or above the ring finger or above the bridge. You have to compare apples to apples.
You might be using the Messenger on too much oil OR on too short an oil pattern. Before re-drilling, you might try adding a little bi tof surface to the ball by sanding VERY LIGHTLY with a green nylon pad or 600 grit sandpaper by hand. You have to test it after a VERY light touch-up. Then see how it reacts.
