3" wall thimble - 3" pipe super tight fit? normal?

So getting ready to install my stove I figured the 3" pipe would slide easily into the thimble. Not happening, It is so tight I feel like I will need to hammer it thru? Is this normal?

I have not run into that. I don't think it is normal with a standard thimble. Does it have a donut gasket ? I see some thimbles now include a gasket to tighten up the usually loose fit. Just my two pennies.

are you trying to put an adjustable sleeve length through the thimble? They do not go in so easy.

It was just a 3' straight pipe and I did have to use a rubber mallet and a piece of wood and hammer it thru.

Are they the same Manufacturer? Pellet vent pipe, through Excel thimble?

When i installed my pellet vent pro piping the outside diameter of the piping was 3.625 inches and the thimble was 3.75 inches so there was a small gap that was easily caulked.