I have an IMI .40 Compact/Baby Eagle that's having some major problems.
I have two magazines for the gun. One of the mags was purchased with the gun five years ago and the other was purchased last month. The magazine that originally came with the gun is 100% reliable. I have fired over a thousand rounds with that magazine without a single malfunction. However, the gun is not reliable with the new magazine. The magazine feeds the ammo perfectly, so you know that's never been the problem. Here's what happens: After the last round is fired and the slide comes back so the magazine follower hits the slide stop lever, it doesn't catch on it correctly. Instead of the follower lifting the slide stop lever up like should, it presses so hard that it pushes right past it. The follower being on the right of the slide stop lever while the slide is back causes the slide stop lever to come part of the way out of the gun, making it impossible to move the slide forward or take the magazine out. It's a very strange and serious problem.
The only difference between the two magazines is that the newer one seems to have a taller follower. I contacted IMI and showed them a pic of the magazine and they said it was indeed their magazine. I explained the problem and they said they'd need $150 just to look it, not including repair costs. There is NO WAY I'm going to pay that on a $400 pistol!
The only thing I have left to try taking to a local gun smith in the Portland area. I have looked at different magazines for this pistol, but the all of the followers look like the new magazine and not the original one.
Do any of you know who I should contact for a problem like this?
Thanks in advance,
Rekced