CFSC Firearm Malfunctions & Corrective Actions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'failure to feed' malfunction?
- When a spent cartridge case fails to eject from the chamber
- When a cartridge fails to load properly from the magazine into the chamber (Correct answer)
- When the trigger fails to reset between shots
- When the bolt fails to lock fully into battery after chambering
Correct answer: When a cartridge fails to load properly from the magazine into the chamber
A failure to feed occurs when a cartridge does not successfully travel from the magazine and seat into the chamber during the loading cycle.
Question 2: What is commonly called a 'stovepipe' malfunction?
- A fired case that is partially extracted but caught vertically in the ejection port (Correct answer)
- A round that fails to fully chamber and protrudes from the action
- A broken extractor claw that allows the case to spin in the chamber
- A round that fires before the action is fully closed
Correct answer: A fired case that is partially extracted but caught vertically in the ejection port
A stovepipe occurs when a spent case is partially extracted but not fully cleared, becoming caught upright in the ejection port — resembling a stovepipe.
Question 3: What does 'failure to extract' mean?
- When the bullet separates from the case and remains in the barrel
- When a spent cartridge case remains stuck in the chamber after firing (Correct answer)
- When the magazine fails to release from the firearm
- When the trigger group fails to function after firing
Correct answer: When a spent cartridge case remains stuck in the chamber after firing
Failure to extract means the extractor cannot pull the spent case from the chamber, leaving it behind and preventing the next round from feeding.
Question 4: What does it mean for a firearm to fire 'out of battery'?
- When the firearm discharges with an empty or missing magazine
- When the firearm discharges before the action is fully closed and locked (Correct answer)
- When the firearm fires after an unusually weak primer strike
- When the firearm fires multiple rounds per trigger pull unexpectedly
Correct answer: When the firearm discharges before the action is fully closed and locked
Firing out of battery means the round discharges before the bolt or slide is fully in the locked closed position, allowing high-pressure gases to escape in dangerous directions.
Question 5: What is the TAP-RACK-READY drill designed to clear?
- A squib load with a bullet lodged in the barrel
- Simple malfunctions such as failure to feed or stovepipe in semi-automatic firearms (Correct answer)
- A double-feed malfunction requiring magazine removal
- A broken firing pin requiring field disassembly
Correct answer: Simple malfunctions such as failure to feed or stovepipe in semi-automatic firearms
TAP-RACK-READY seats the magazine with a firm tap, racks the slide to eject or chamber a round, and brings the firearm to a ready state — effective for simple feeding and ejection failures.
Question 6: What is the very first action you should take when any malfunction occurs?
- Continue to press the trigger to attempt to clear the malfunction
- Immediately point the firearm in a safe direction and assess the situation (Correct answer)
- Disassemble the firearm on the spot to find the cause
- Signal for assistance from a range officer before touching the firearm
Correct answer: Immediately point the firearm in a safe direction and assess the situation
Regardless of the malfunction type, the first action is always to point the muzzle in a safe direction — this is the foundational safety principle that applies at all times.
Question 7: What condition is described when a round has entered the chamber but the bolt or slide has not returned to the fully closed, locked position?
- Hangfire condition
- Squib load condition
- Failure to go into battery (Correct answer)
- Slam fire condition
Correct answer: Failure to go into battery
When a round partially chambers but the action does not fully close and lock, the firearm has failed to go into battery and is not in a safe condition to fire.
CFSC Firearm Malfunctions & Corrective Actions 2
What is a 'failure to feed' malfunction?