CRFSC Firearm Malfunctions and Stoppages 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When dealing with a misfire, which step must come FIRST?
- Open the action to extract the cartridge
- Remove the magazine or open the cylinder
- Keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction (Correct answer)
- Inspect the barrel for obstructions
Correct answer: Keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction
Keeping the firearm pointed in a safe direction is always the first step, as a potential hangfire could cause a delayed discharge at any moment.
Question 2: Why is it essential to keep a firearm pointed in a safe direction after a suspected misfire?
- To allow the barrel to cool down before handling
- Because a hangfire could cause a delayed ignition and discharge (Correct answer)
- To prevent moisture from entering the action and barrel
- Because the trigger mechanism may be damaged and could fire unexpectedly
Correct answer: Because a hangfire could cause a delayed ignition and discharge
A misfire could actually be a hangfire, where delayed ignition occurs seconds after the apparent failure to fire.
Question 3: After waiting 30 seconds and removing a misfired cartridge, you should inspect it to:
- Attempt to refire it in a different firearm
- Check whether the primer shows a firing pin indentation (Correct answer)
- Reload it into the magazine to try again
- Immediately disassemble it to examine the powder charge
Correct answer: Check whether the primer shows a firing pin indentation
Inspecting the primer for a firing pin indent helps determine if the malfunction was a light primer strike (firearm issue) or a defective cartridge (ammunition issue).
Question 4: Which symptom most likely indicates a squib load has occurred?
- The action fails to cycle and the slide remains open
- An unusually loud report accompanied by excessive recoil
- A noticeably quieter sound and reduced recoil compared to normal firing (Correct answer)
- The magazine drops free from the firearm during firing
Correct answer: A noticeably quieter sound and reduced recoil compared to normal firing
A squib load produces significantly reduced sound and felt recoil because the propellant charge is insufficient to develop normal pressure.
Question 5: What is a 'stovepipe' malfunction?
- A barrel obstruction caused by a lodged bullet from a squib load
- A spent cartridge case caught partially ejected and standing upright in the ejection port (Correct answer)
- A double feed where two rounds attempt to enter the chamber simultaneously
- A primer that ignites but fails to ignite the main powder charge
Correct answer: A spent cartridge case caught partially ejected and standing upright in the ejection port
A stovepipe occurs when a spent case is not fully ejected and stands upright in the ejection port, resembling a stovepipe chimney.
Question 6: What is the standard technique to clear a stovepipe malfunction on a semi-automatic pistol?
- Remove the magazine and lock the slide back
- Tap the bottom of the magazine firmly, then rack the slide
- Sweep the case out of the ejection port with your hand, then rack the slide (Correct answer)
- Fully disassemble the pistol to clear the case
Correct answer: Sweep the case out of the ejection port with your hand, then rack the slide
Sweeping the partially ejected case clear of the ejection port and then racking the slide chambers a fresh round and clears the malfunction.
Question 7: What is a double feed malfunction?
- Accidentally loading ammunition into the same magazine twice
- When two cartridges attempt to enter the chamber at the same time (Correct answer)
- When a semi-automatic firearm fires two rounds with a single trigger pull
- When a cartridge is simultaneously in both the chamber and feeding from the magazine
Correct answer: When two cartridges attempt to enter the chamber at the same time
A double feed occurs when a new cartridge attempts to enter the chamber while a previous case or unfired round is still present.
CRFSC Firearm Malfunctions and Stoppages 2
When dealing with a misfire, which step must come FIRST?