Why should I care about Malfunctions?

It doesn’t matter whether you are running defensive drills on the range or just plinking you will inevitably run into one of these malfunctions. They range from a petty annoyance to potentially disastrous.

Knowing how to recognize and clear these malfunctions is absolutely essential.

The Misfire

This is by far the most common. A misfire occurs when a cartridge is in the chamber but when the trigger is pressed nothing happens.

This can be caused by a mechanical problem with the firearm I.E. the firing pin or striker not hitting the primer with sufficient force ( a light strike) or more often it is just a faulty primer.

The procedure for clearing this is known as the “Tap and Rack”. To do this remove your finger from the trigger and place it on the pistol frame. Continue holding the gun pointing down range for a period of 30 seconds. Then while holding the gun securely with your dominate hand rap the bottom of the magazine with the palm of your support hand. This will insure that the magazine is seated. Next quickly pull the slide to the rear and release it. this will eject the UN-fired round.

Regain your firing grip and continue to shooting.

(Note: If you are in a defense event just tap and rack.)

The Hang-fire

With modern cartridges the hang-fire is pretty rare but they do happen. The misfire and the hang-fire start out exactly the same, but the hang fire goes off after a delay. So anytime that you pull the trigger and you just get a click it is vitally important that you remain holding the firearm pointing down range. After a period of 30 seconds clear the firearm using the Tap & Rack procedure.

The Double Feed

A double feed occurs when after firing a shot the extractor fails to eject the spent casing and the slide tries to load a live round but is block by the case in the chamber.

To clear a double feed. First lock the slide back. Then drop the magazine. The magazine may not just fall out as normal it may require you to pull it out. After removing the magazine rack the slide a couple of time this should clear the jam. then reinsert a loaded magazine and your back in business.

Squib Load

The squib load can be catastrophic but can be easy to miss if you are firing rapidly or just being inattentive.

A squib is caused by lower than normal pressure developed by the cartridge when fired. Many times but not always this low pressure cannot force the bullet out of the barrel. The danger develops when the squib bullet is lodged in the barrel and the shooter proceeds to fire the next round into the blocked barrel.

The buildup of pressure may cause the barrel to swell or even to rupture. This is very dangerous as there have been cases of this causing the firearm to explode.

A squib load can be identified by a change in the sound of the gun fire many times just a low pop, this may be just the primer going off. You may notice a change in the muzzle flash and recoil.

If you notice any of these stop shooting immediately. Keep the gun pointed down range and carefully unload it.

Now we need to determine if the bullet is lodged in the barrel. This can be done by running a cleaning rod (or even a zip tie if it is longer than the barrel) down the bore. If it hits a blockage and will not run out the other end of the bore you have found your bullet.

Now to get it out.

I have seen squib loads that bullet was easily removed with a cleaning rod and a little hand pressure to push the bullet out of the barrel.

On the other end of the scale, I have also seen bullets wedged so tightly in the barrel that they required placing the barrel in a vise (if you are using a vise always wrap the barrel in a soft cloth or cardboard to protect the finish) and using a solid brass rod and a hammer to drive it out. One quick note if possible I always work from the breech end of the barrel driving the bullet out of the muzzle. If the bullet just barely cleared the chamber I have seen them tapped back out of the breach. But normally you should push it from breech to muzzle the direction that the bullet was intended to leave the barrel.

If you are unsure or uncomfortable doing this seek the help of an experienced shooter or better yet a gunsmith.

Related Questions

Can I just shoot the squib out of the barrel?

NO, Read this again NO the squib must be cleared from the barrel before the gun is loaded again. Do not fire it until the barrel is clear.