Dealing with malfunctioning firearms

There are several different kinds of firearm malfunctions: 1.) hangfire, 2.) misfire, 3.) failure to feed, 4.) stovepipe, 5.) squib load, and 6.) double feed. While each malfunction presents its own challenges and procedures to correct the malfunction, most indoor gun ranges craft their firearm malfunction safety rules to prevent a hangfire discharge in common areas such as the retail floor. For this reason, malfunctioning firearms should be kept in the shooting area within the shooting stall with its muzzle pointing downrange.

Hangfire describes an ammunition malfunction when there is a noticeable delay between trigger pull and bullet discharge. In other words, after the audible “click” following a trigger pull, there is not an immediate “bang.” However, inside the ammunition case, the process of discharge has begun and after an unpredictable delay period, the gun actually fires. The danger of a hangfire is that it is often mistaken for a misfire.

A misfire malfunction also occurs after a trigger pull like a hangfire, however, in the case of a misfire, the ammunition never fires. Misfires can be caused by either a light or incomplete firing pin strike on the primer (firearm related) or it can be caused by a defective ammunition (ammunition related). However, on the range it is impossible to distinguish between misfires and hangfires as both begin with a delay after the trigger has been pulled. In most cases, waiting between 60-120 seconds for the ammunition to activate with the muzzle pointed in a safe direction will reveal the difference between hangfires and misfires.

The failure to feed malfunction occurs when the bullet does not completely enter the chamber and can happen for several reasons: there is some defect in the magazine doing the feeding (spring, follower, etc.) , the magazine isn’t fully seated into the firearm, there is some defect with the firearm’s feed ramp, or there is some problem with the physical properties of the ammunition. Failure to feed malfunctions can also be caused by poor or zero gun lubrication. The end result of the failure to feed error is that the slide (handgun) or charging handle (AR) cannot travel the distance necessary to chamber the ammunition fully. To correct this error, remove the magazine first and the questionable round second. Ensure all firearms are cleaned and lubricated according to the manufacturer’s guidelines before shooting.

A stovepipe happens when the ammunition/cartridge fails to eject properly after being fired and becomes trapped in a vertical position at the ejection port, resembling an old stove pipe. In most cases, the stovepipe firearm malfunction is the result of an improper grip or mushy hold on the firearm. The user’s wrist and arm act like an additional and unnecessary spring absorbing and reducing some of the momentum generated by discharged ammunition. In an ideal situation with handguns, the slide should be the only component that moves.

A squib load reflects a problem with ammunition and if not addressed immediately will result in damage to the firearm and/or to the user. After a trigger pull with a squib load, the primer actives the powder inside the casing but the resulting energy from the ammunition is not enough for the bullet to exit the barrel completely. Rather, the bullet tip becomes stuck inside the barrel. If the user clears the defective ammunition without inspecting the barrel and removing the lodged bullet, then the next bullet will strike the lodged bullet. If this happens, the barrel will bulge or break apart with violent force while in the user’s hand and will cause serious injury. Squib loads “don’t feel right” and will make a weak “pop” or “thunk” sound and will not generate the usual movement with the usual power in the firearm. To address a lodged bullet in the barrel, drop the magazine and remove any ammunition while maintaining a safe direction – do not look down the barrel; use a bore light instead or run a rod that will not scratch the barrel through to ensure there are no obstructions.

The double feed malfunction occurs when two rounds are picked up from the magazine and both rounds are fed into the chamber at the same time. In most cases, a bad magazine is to blame as magazines are designed to feed the firearm one bullet at a time.