A brand new LA can be cranky to get running for the first time when hand flipping. It sounds like its getting caught up on the ABC "pinch" at TDC. That tight fit pinch is what makes an ABC type system work properly. Once its been run for about 15 minutes it will become a lot more civilized and likely start with one or two flicks.

Keep your initial breakin runs short (about 2 minutes) and on the rich side.

The ABC type metallurgy wants TDC to be fairly tight when cold, the cylinder's are made with a taper machined into them.

Using a leather glove helps for the first hour or so until things loosen up.

I have a .46 LA with over 6 hours on it that still has a fearsome TDC pinch that needs a good thwack to get the prop past, but it starts on the first stout flick every time now.