FSC - Firearm Safety Certificate Ammunition and Malfunctions Questions and Answers

Question 1

You are at a firing range and pull the trigger, but the firearm only makes a 'click' sound without firing. What is the safest immediate action to take?

Accepted Answer

Keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction for at least 30 seconds.

Answer

This situation could be a misfire or a more dangerous hangfire (a delayed firing). The safest procedure is to keep the firearm pointed downrange for at least 30 seconds to see if the round will fire before attempting to clear the malfunction.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes a 'squib load'?

Accepted Answer

A cartridge that fires with insufficient force, potentially leaving the bullet lodged in the barrel.

Answer

A squib load is a highly dangerous malfunction where the projectile does not have enough force to exit the barrel. This creates an obstruction that can cause catastrophic firearm failure if another round is fired.

Question 3

A shooter experiences a malfunction where a spent cartridge case is partially ejected and becomes trapped vertically in the ejection port, resembling a chimney. This is commonly known as a:

Accepted Answer

Stovepipe

Answer

This specific type of failure to eject is called a 'stovepipe.' It is typically cleared by tapping the magazine, racking the slide, and assessing the situation ('Tap, Rack, Assess').

Question 4

When a semi-automatic pistol fails to chamber a new round from the magazine after a shot has been fired, this is known as a 'failure to feed'. Which of the following is a common cause of this malfunction?

Accepted Answer

An improperly seated magazine or a damaged magazine.

Answer

A failure to feed is often caused by issues with how the ammunition is being fed from the magazine into the chamber. The most common causes are a magazine that is not fully inserted or a magazine that is damaged (e.g., bent feed lips) or has a weak spring.

Question 5

What is the very FIRST and most important step to take immediately after ANY firearm malfunction occurs?

Accepted Answer

Stop firing and keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.

Answer

Regardless of the type of malfunction, the absolute first priority is to stop attempting to fire and ensure the firearm remains pointed in a safe direction to prevent any potential injury or damage from a delayed or unexpected discharge.

Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) Practice Test

Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) Practice Test

FSC - Firearm Safety Certificate Ammunition and Malfunctions Questions and Answers