FREE RSO Firearm Stoppages and Malfunctions Questions and Answers

Question 1

A shooter reports their semi-automatic pistol has jammed with the slide not fully closed.
The RSO confirms the firearm is out of battery.
What is the safest immediate action the RSO should instruct the shooter to perform?

Accepted Answer

Keep the muzzle pointed downrange and give the rear of the slide a firm tap with the palm to see if it seats; if not, unload and clear the firearm.

Answer

Forcefully rack the slide to eject the potentially misaligned round.

Answer

Drop the magazine and then attempt to clear the chamber.

Answer

Immediately place the firearm on the bench and step away.

Question 2

An RSO observes a spent cartridge case caught vertically in the ejection port of a semi-automatic handgun, preventing the slide from closing. What is the correct term for this common stoppage?

Accepted Answer

Stovepipe

Answer

Double Feed

Answer

Squib Load

Answer

Failure to Feed

Question 3

A shooter fires a round that produces an abnormally quiet "pop" and significantly less recoil. The RSO must assume the most dangerous potential malfunction has occurred, which is a:

Accepted Answer

Squib Load

Answer

Hangfire

Answer

Misfire

Answer

Failure to Extract

Question 4

When coaching a shooter whose semi-automatic firearm failed to feed a new round from a properly seated magazine, what is the standard immediate action drill the RSO should guide them through?

Accepted Answer

Tap, Rack, Assess

Answer

Lock, Drop, Clear, Reload

Answer

Point, Squeeze, Hold, Release

Answer

Muzzle, Trigger, Action, Safety

Question 5

From an RSO's standpoint, which statement BEST distinguishes a firearm "stoppage" from a "malfunction"?

Accepted Answer

A stoppage is an interruption in the cycle of operation that can often be cleared by the shooter's immediate action, whereas a malfunction typically indicates a broken part requiring armorer repair.

Answer

A stoppage is always caused by faulty ammunition, while a malfunction is always caused by a dirty firearm.

Answer

A stoppage only occurs with rifles and shotguns, while a malfunction can occur with any firearm.

Answer

A malfunction is a failure to fire, while a stoppage is a failure to eject.

Question 6

A shooter experiences a failure to fire (a "click" with no "bang") with a modern centerfire firearm. After correctly instructing the shooter to keep the firearm pointed downrange for at least 30 seconds to rule out a hangfire, what should the RSO do next?

Accepted Answer

Have the shooter safely unload the firearm, remove the misfired cartridge, and inspect the primer.

Answer

Immediately take the firearm from the shooter to inspect it.

Answer

Instruct the shooter to attempt to fire the same round again.

Answer

Have the shooter place the loaded firearm on the bench and move to another lane.

A shooter reports their semi-automatic pistol has jammed with the slide not fully closed.The RSO confirms the firearm is out of battery.What is the safest immediate action the RSO should instruct the shooter to perform?

A shooter reports their semi-automatic pistol has jammed with the slide not fully closed.
The RSO confirms the firearm is out of battery.
What is the safest immediate action the RSO should instruct the shooter to perform?