Abstract: A hold open rod has a lock sleeve, an outer cylinder, a lock mechanism, a plurality of lock balls, a retention sleeve, a piston including a piston head, a release spring, and a lock spring. The hold open rod is configured to move between an unlocked configuration (e.g., stowed) to a locked and loaded configuration. Relative movement (e.g., axially and/or radially) of components in the hold open rod assembly enable both configurations. The lock mechanism is positioned with the lock sleeve and the outer cylinder, and mechanically engages the piston head. The pin is positioned with the lock sleeve and a guide slot in the outer cylinder. The plurality of lock balls engage the lock sleeve, outer cylinder, and retention sleeve.