1914 mauser pistol

[Lethemgo]

Has anyone had experience with one of these pistols.
Recently purchased a mauser 1914 32acp pistol. Looked to be in great shape and bought it from a guy who shot it before but it once belonged to his friend that had died last year. After I got it home I had realized it doesn't stay open after its empty but closes as soon as you pull mag out. Went to take it apart a found the spring guide rod was not there and the slide won't come off but only goes about a 1/3 of the way forward. Can't see what is holding it from moving more and tried it with the firing pin cocked and unlocked. Anyone know what could be up or is this common...maybe both the same problem. Ordered the guide rod and a new spring and should be here this week.
Thanks

[Lethemgo]

When I took it apart the spring popped up out of slide but that's because the rod was gone. That is as far as slide will go forward on frame. Nothing holding it up in areas I can see in and shouldn't be anything in the way. There is a small lever the mag should hit when inserted on the back side of the mag well but since I've never been inside of one of these I'm not sure what's up...don't see it or more can't tell from any diagrams I've found.

http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/lethemgo/20170130_115350.jpg (http://s947.photobucket.com/user/lethemgo/media/20170130_115350.jpg.html)
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http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/lethemgo/20170130_115320.jpg (http://s947.photobucket.com/user/lethemgo/media/20170130_115320.jpg.html)

[Mohawk Daddy]

My only experience with these fine little pistols was back in the 80s when a relative who was not a gun person inherited one that was so minty that it looked new. She wanted me to "try it out" to make sure it functioned properly, so I bought a box of fresh ammo and took it to the range. We went through half the box and it worked flawlessly. I then took it home and thought I would disassemble the little Mauser to clean it for her. (It wasn't really that dirty anyway.) I then proceeded to try to reassemble the little pistol, but had no luck getting it back together in the proper sequence. This was pre-internet, and the aftermath was I tinkered with the Mauser every evening for two weeks before I accidently got it back together the way it wanted. She got the Mauser back the way it had been originally, and I told her, "Never take it apart." Maybe a better gun guy than myself would have known intuitively how to reassemble the small automatic, but I didn't. Not saying yours is wrong, but my experience led me to believe that they are deceptively simple. And no I don't remember what it wants.

[JWFilips]

I have one and they do not lock open when empty....just the way the old boys designed them

[rintinglen]

I'm perplexed. The One I had was simplicity itself to field strip.

Drop the mag and check the chamber. IIRC, you had to have an empty mag in the butt to lock the slide back before you can take it apart. Depress the little catch under the slide at the front and then,rotate to the left and remove the guide rod. Lift the barrel up and out and then carefully push the slide forward to avoid the striker popping out and launching itself into the stratosphere. I don't ever recall having any issue with it. (Other than turning the bed room inside out trying to find the striker.)

I just looked at a video on you tube. Try inserting an empty mag and then see if the slide comes off. I don't remember having to do that, but it has been 25 or so years since I sold mine.:-(

[dubber123]

It's been a while, but there is a secret handshake to assembly as I recall. I know, lots of help.

[Lethemgo]

Got pistol up and running...pulled mag catch spring and slide slid right off. Put her back together and everything works as supposed to. Holds open when empty and closes when mags inserted. Now to the range and try her out.

[Combat Diver]

I used to have one back in the early 90s. Nice interesting design.


https://youtu.be/AB8tZOvr-VY

CD

[Silver Jack Hammer]

My Grandfather carried one as a Deputy Sheriff back in the 1930's. I inherited it and kept it along with my Grandfather's badge, nightstick, the pistols original box and newspaper clipping about an arrest he made. When I retired after over 30 years as a peace officer this pistol was passed along with all its memorabilia to my second cousin, my Grandfathers great grandson as he enters his career as a young peace officer. The gun shot fine and my second cousin got a case of ammo for it too.