Mauser Guns Collectors Forum

Pistols => Model 1914 Pistol => Topic started by: Battis on April 04, 2018, 03:03:04 PM

Title: Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch
Post by: Battis on April 04, 2018, 03:03:04 PM

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.
Title: Re: Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch
Post by: 1914mauser on April 05, 2018, 07:21:20 AM
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,
Title: Re: Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch
Post by: pardt on April 06, 2018, 10:05:57 AM
I have a mag release/catch I can sell if you have not found any yet.
Title: Re: Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch
Post by: Battis on April 06, 2018, 10:50:59 AM

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.
Title: Re: Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch
Post by: pardt on April 06, 2018, 11:07:35 AM
I sent you a pm.
Title: Re: Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch
Post by: Battis on April 10, 2018, 06:29:29 AM

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.
Title: Re: Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch
Post by: 1914mauser on April 10, 2018, 07:16:14 AM
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,
Title: Re: Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch
Post by: gwpeeler on April 10, 2018, 11:29:12 AM
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!
Title: Re: Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch
Post by: Battis on April 10, 2018, 01:03:21 PM

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.
Title: Re: Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch
Post by: saxon on April 10, 2018, 06:49:02 PM
See if it performs better with the new springs and let us know.
Title: Re: Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch
Post by: Battis on April 11, 2018, 12:38:45 PM

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.
Title: Re: Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch
Post by: saxon on April 11, 2018, 01:14:59 PM
Great!
Title: Re: Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch
Post by: gwpeeler on April 11, 2018, 01:48:49 PM
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
Title: Re: Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch
Post by: Battis on April 11, 2018, 02:42:01 PM

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.



Title: Re: Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch
Post by: Battis on April 18, 2018, 03:54:39 AM
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.
Title: Re: Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch
Post by: gwpeeler on April 19, 2018, 09:43:26 AM
I have had malfunctions with the PMC ammo also. I have never tried the Winchester.  Midway has the Fiocchi for $13.99 a box which is quite reasonable even with shipping added.
Mr. Mason can tell you more but from your serial number your gun was made around 1920.
Wayne
Title: Re: Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch
Post by: Battis on April 19, 2018, 04:52:43 PM

Thanks for the date info.
The problem with getting ammo is that I live in MA.  Midway and some of the other Big Boys won't ship ammo, or even unprimed brass, to MA. 
I just bought a box of Lellier & Bellot ammo in NH that I'll try.
Title: Re: Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch
Post by: pardt on April 20, 2018, 01:46:48 PM
I have always used the Winchester ammo as it is readily available where I am at. Guess I have gotten fortunate that so far my pistols all have functioned on it. Stoppages I have had been due to Magazine issues
Title: Re: Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch
Post by: mike9905 on May 05, 2018, 11:22:58 PM
Battis: The internet is your friend. If my local gunshop does not have ammo I want I go online. Check out ammoseek.com.
Title: Re: Mauser 1914 32 ACP hold-open catch
Post by: Battis on May 07, 2018, 09:54:57 PM

I can find the ammo, but getting it shipped to Massachusetts is tough.  I just bought 100 .32 cast bullets (just plain old lead bullets - no primers, powder, brass) from Montana Bullet Works but I had to have it shipped to New Hampshire.  Funny things is, it's perfectly legal to ship to MA.
So, I'm going to try reloading these little buggers.  Should be fun.