Malfunctions

If, and when, your equipment fails, it is important to remain calm and safe. Know your equipment, and practice what to do if a malfunction occurs.

There are three basic types of malfunctions:

Firearm

Examples run from something as simple as the bolt not closing securely to the firing pin not striking the primer or a spring breaking in the trigger mechanism. If you are unable to identify the cause of your firearm malfunction, you should take it to a gunsmith to be repaired.

Ensure you unload your firearm before removing it from the field. If you are unable to do so, then ensure that the firearm is disabled so that it is impossible to shoot (i.e., remove the bolt).

Ammunition

Examples include a light or no powder charge, the primer may have been seated too deep in the cartridge or could be faulty.

User

These malfunctions include forgetting to load your firearm or neglecting to take off the mechanical safety.

There are three basic types of firearm or ammunition malfunctions. They result in:

Misfire

When you pull the trigger and the gun does not fire.

Hangfire

When the gun fires sometime after the trigger has been pulled without any additional action by the shooter.

To ensure that this is not the issue, wait 30 seconds (longer for a muzzleloader), keeping the gun pointed in a safe direction before you investigate further.

Squib Load

A squib load is where the firearm fires but it may have left debris (shotgun wad, bullet, etc.) lodged in the barrel, creating an obstruction. This usually happens because of an insufficient powder charge. Squib loads can often be identified by an odd “pop” noise (as opposed to a sharp “bang”) when the gun is fired. Whenever a round sounds “funny,” take the extra time to investigate the barrel, from the breech end, to ensure that there is no obstruction.