odd FTF problem...........should be a snap for the experts here though

[dude]

After being a P7 owner for the last 18 years or so, it's flawlwss operation had me unprepared for what my new-ish IMI Baby Eagle is doing. While shooting three mags today it FTFed once on each mag where the slide locked back even though the mag was not empty. I had to pull back on the slide a bit and it would chamber the next round. The ammo was the same Winchester white-box that I have been shooting trouble free to date.

what the heck??

I bought it used and have fired at least 1000 trouble free-ish rounds since getting it, except for having the exact same problem with a box of Winchester Personal Defence non +p stuff.

............would I be having a return spring problem or what?

[SDC]

My first thought is that your grip on the pistol might be a little high; the Baby Eagle has a "lowered" slide stop, and the thumb of your strong or off hand might just be bumping the slide stop during recoil, enough to engage it. Other than that, I can't really think of anything else that might cause a premature slide lock.
HTH.

[dude]

.....yes, it does have a 'lowered' slide stop and I believe you are right on the money with my potential grip problem. I will go through a few mags tommorow paying close attention. Firstly I'll shoot three or 4 mags with a left handed grip which would eliminate the possibility of touching the slide stop all together. I'll post the results here tommorow night.

thanks again for the tip!

[dude]

A total sucess!!!

HA!
keeping my thumb a bit lower solved the problem, a few 100 rounds downrange w/o a hitch
thanks SDC

................the Baby Eagle is back in my good graces

[SDC]

Glad to be of help :)