Firearm Stoppages and Malfunctions Flashcards

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?

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.

An out-of-battery condition is unsafe because the firearm's locking mechanisms are not fully engaged. The safest initial step is a non-forceful attempt to seat the slide (a tap). If this fails, the firearm must be safely unloaded and cleared. Forcefully racking the slide or dropping the magazine without addressing the chambered round first can be unpredictable and unsafe.

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?

Answer: Stovepipe

A "stovepipe" is the common term for a failure to eject where the spent casing is trapped vertically in the ejection port, resembling a small chimney or stovepipe. A double feed involves two rounds attempting to chamber, a squib load is a projectile stuck in the barrel, and a failure to feed is when a new round isn't chambered from the magazine.

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:

Answer: Squib Load

A squib load is a round with insufficient powder to propel the bullet out of the barrel, causing it to become an obstruction. Firing another round behind it can cause catastrophic firearm failure and serious injury. The RSO's immediate priority is to stop the shooter, unload the firearm, and verify the barrel is clear.

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?

Answer: Tap, Rack, Assess

"Tap, Rack, Assess" is the universal immediate action drill for many common stoppages. The shooter Taps the bottom of the magazine to ensure it is seated, Racks the slide to eject a potential misfeed and chamber a new round, and then Assesses the situation before attempting to fire again.

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

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.

A stoppage is a temporary interruption in the firearm's cycle of operation (e.g., stovepipe, failure to feed) that can usually be resolved quickly by the shooter. A malfunction implies a mechanical failure or breakage of the firearm itself (e.g., broken extractor, worn sear) that prevents it from functioning correctly and often requires repair by a gunsmith or armorer.

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?

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

After waiting a sufficient time (typically 30-60 seconds) to ensure a hangfire does not occur, the correct procedure is to have the shooter safely unload the firearm and remove the dud round. Inspecting the primer can help diagnose the problem; a light strike may indicate a firearm issue, while a solid indent suggests faulty ammunition. Attempting to fire the same round again is not advisable.