Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch

[Battis]

I recently got a Mauser 1914 .32 ACP.  I haven't fired it yet.  The slide stays open until I drop the mag, then the slide releases.  I'm thinking that the mag release is supposed to extend up into the gun and put pressure on the hold-open catch, but the mag release looks like it's been broken, so it's too short.
Is that how the slide would remain open?
Thanks.

[1914mauser]

Yes, the top part of the magazine catch actuates the hold open. The top part of yours is missing. This is a part that has become difficult to find. Good luck with your search.

Regards,

[pardt]

I have a mag release/catch I can sell if you have not found any yet.

[Battis]

That would be great.  I've been trying to "sister" in a piece of flat spring stock but it isn't working.  The store where I bought it warranties all guns for 30 days.  I told them I'd keep this gun until the 30 days is up in the hopes that I'd find a mag catch.  If not they'll take it back and junk it out to a gunsmith.
Let me know how you want to proceed.
Thanks again.

[pardt]

I sent you a pm.

[Battis]

Thanks to Pardt, I have an unbroken mag catch in my gun.  But I'm wondering if the other mag catch was broken or cut at some point.  I say this because several sales people at the store where I bought the gun (each claimed to have fired a 1914 32 acp but never owned one) did not know that the gun had a hold open catch - they thought that the slide closed when the mag was empty and you inserted a loaded mag, pulled the slide back to chamber a round, and fired away until the mag was empty then started again with a full mag.  One of the salespeople was a collector and he schooled them on the proper use and function of the gun.  They thought that the gun was just designed with no slide release.
Anyways, I like the gun. I'm debating on whether to use factory ammo (I think the gun can handle it) or reload some low powered cast bullet rounds.  Any suggestions?
Thanks.

[1914mauser]

You should not have any problems using factory/commercially available ammunition. .32s are not a high pressure round.
It is not surprising the gun store staff claim to know something, when they actually do not.

Regards,

[gwpeeler]

FYI- I have 3 of these that I shoot quite a lot and I have great results with Fiocchi ammo. I have shot at least 300 rounds with it without a single malfunction.  I have experienced a few feeding problems with Remington and S & B. Be warned....these little guns are addictive!

[Battis]

I just fired off 25 rds of the Winchester ammo (Walmart) with several failures to feed.  I haven't had much luck with that ammo in my Ruger 9mm.  This Mauser is definitely a candidate for reloading.  I didn't think it'd be that good of a shooter.  I like that peppy little round.  I have other 32s, mostly revolvers and a Winchester Self Loader rifle.  When I got home the Wolff springs were in the mailbox.
The mag catch works perfectly.

[saxon]

See if it performs better with the new springs and let us know.

[Battis]

Back to the range with all new springs, same Winchester ammo (25 rds).  Not a single malfunction.
Funny thing - the more I aim this handgun, the worse I get.  When I just point and shoot, it hits where I want it to.
Reminds me of the Three Stooges when Moe said, "The more you think the more you weaken the nation."
Great gun.

[saxon]

Great!

[gwpeeler]

Battis- Do you have the ramp front sight or the newer half moon?  Also for my old eyes a little dab of white nail polish on the front sight really helps. Glad your pistols working well.  If you're  interested in the age of your gun our experts here can date it for you.

Wayne

[Battis]

Serial #227718.  All matching.  It looks like a ramp front sight.
I bought this holster a few months ago for $10 in an antique shop.  It's a good fit for the gun.

[Battis]

I went back to the range with a box of PMC "Bronze" ammo and had several malfunctions.  I can't find any Fiocchi ammo around here - maybe I'll stick with the Winchester.  I've been saving the brass to reload, but this handgun is tough on the ejected brass.