Toggle locked back with magazine out

[RShaw]

Hi All,
A little problem with my shooter 1918 DWM
When shooting S&B 115 gr FMJRN
which has worked well in the past, the toggle has now locked back and I cannot release it to chamber a round. Magazine is out, gun is empty and still the toggle is back with the chamber open . Barrel is locked back , sideplate can be easily removed but toggle assembly not moving.
Has anyone seen this before?
Ideas?
Hear from you soon I hope
Thanks

[gunbugs]

Sounds like a broken hold open. Jammed in the "up" position. Not uncommon, from what I hear.

[sheepherder]

Have you removed the grips and looked inside???

Could the takedown lever be holding the receiver back???

Edit: Sounds like Doug is onto it...

[RShaw]

I pulled the grips, but cannot see What's keeping it open
Takedown lever freely rotates as it should
I'llcheck a complete dissasembly YouTube video to get at the hold open?
Gave never done that before...

[sheepherder]

Try pushing down on the holdopen as far back as you can (red line points to farthest back I could go). Hold the toggle so it doesn't snap against your dowel or rod, whichever...

It helps if you relieve some of the toggle pressure while pushing the holdopen...

[RShaw]

Well.... I got it!
Hold open is broken, toggle went forward. Then pulled back the toggle again; a piece fell out after pushing down as you said. One side is sheared off. Thanks
I've learned something
Can this gun be shot even without a hold open?
I should think so, only the toggle should not lock up after the last round.
Please advise?
Appreciate your help and your time
Glad this didn't happen with my one collector DWM

[Ron Wood]

It can be shot safely. The first issue German Army Lugers did not have a hold open.
Ron

[RShaw]

Great!
I appreciate all your help!
I can hear the rest of the hold open rattling in there... but I guess that's to be expected.
Thanks to all....

[Ron Wood]

Go ahead and remove the remaining parts of the hold open so it doesn't work loose and jam up or damage your action while you are shooting.

[RShaw]

Ok... I'll make an attempt
I have only done a simple field strip until now.
I'll proceed with caution

[sheepherder]

There was a similar broken holdopen just a few months ago, IIRC.

Tom Heller, Ed Tinker, Gerry Tomek, or another member with spare parts may be able to offer you a replacement holdopen.

[RShaw]

The metal break surface looks like it has crystallized.
Well... it IS 99 years old!
Thanks for the help..... yes I'll contact one of you for a spare holdopen if I cannot get one here.
Once again, thanks
Is there any way this can be prevented?
Ammunition was certainly not too much- (I hope) S&B 115 gr. FMJRN standard velocity.
Or is it a case of "Happens sometimes with an older gun."?
"You takes your chances." ?

[Ron Wood]

Originally Posted by RShaw

...Or is it a case of "Happens sometimes with an older gun."?
"You takes your chances." ?

Bingo

[RShaw]

"Go ahead and remove the remaining parts of the hold open so it doesn't work loose and jam up or damage your action while you are shooting."

Well, I removed the rest of the hold open in 1 piece, the little spur has indeed broken off
The little leaf spring is intact...

Well, if I had any temptations about shooting my collector 1917 DWM, they're gone now!!

[Dwight Gruber]

Be sure to keep the spring. If you are going to replace the holdopen at some point the replacement will likely come without a spring, and repro holdopen springs do not fit very well. Originals can sometimes be unobtanium.

--Dwight

[RShaw]

Thanks Dwight,
Yes I've kept both pieces including spring.
Maybe I'll use it without the hold open...but I would like to replace it...
VERY annoying....

Is there any chance I broke it when pushing down on it to free the toggle??
After shooting a round, the toggle locked up and back and did not release after that (also without the magazine) until I pushed out the broken spur. I don't recall hearing it snap.
Just trying to learn...
Thanks to all for answering all my questions

[Lugerdoc]

RS, I do have original Swiss made HOs with spring installed, which will work in your shooter. TH

[RShaw]

Thanks you VERY much Lugerdoc!
I am checking with a Luger collector here in the area, who might have one.
If he doesn't have this part, I will be SURE to call on you

My shooter is a 1918 DWM: photos here below:

[kurusu]

Originally Posted by gunbugs

Sounds like a broken hold open. Jammed in the "up" position. Not uncommon, from what I hear.

To me too. Seen it happen more than once.

And that is why I generally remove it when I go shooting.

Edit. Maybe I should have read the whole thread before posting.

[kurusu]

Originally Posted by RShaw

The metal break surface looks like it has crystallized.
Well... it IS 99 years old!
Thanks for the help..... yes I'll contact one of you for a spare holdopen if I cannot get one here.
Once again, thanks
Is there any way this can be prevented?
Ammunition was certainly not too much- (I hope) S&B 115 gr. FMJRN standard velocity.
Or is it a case of "Happens sometimes with an older gun."?
"You takes your chances." ?

Yes. Remove the holdopen before any shooting sessions.