RSO Firearm Handling & Safety Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a shooter experiences a misfire, what is the correct immediate action?
- Immediately open the action to clear it
- Keep the firearm pointed downrange, wait 30 seconds, then carefully open the action (Correct answer)
- Remove the magazine and tap the bottom
- Hand the firearm to the RSO for inspection
Correct answer: Keep the firearm pointed downrange, wait 30 seconds, then carefully open the action
A 30-second wait is required before opening the action on a misfire to allow for a potential hangfire to discharge safely downrange.
Question 2: What is a 'squib load' and why is it dangerous?
- A round with excess powder that creates excessive pressure
- A round with insufficient powder that may lodge a bullet in the barrel, causing a dangerous obstruction (Correct answer)
- A round that fails to seat properly in the chamber
- A round that causes case separation upon firing
Correct answer: A round with insufficient powder that may lodge a bullet in the barrel, causing a dangerous obstruction
A squib load has insufficient propellant, which can lodge the projectile in the barrel; firing another round into an obstructed barrel can cause catastrophic firearm failure.
Question 3: An RSO observes a shooter's finger inside the trigger guard while moving between positions. What should the RSO do?
- Allow it if the safety is engaged
- Immediately issue a cease fire and correct the shooter (Correct answer)
- Warn the shooter verbally without stopping the line
- Document the violation and address it after the session
Correct answer: Immediately issue a cease fire and correct the shooter
Finger inside the trigger guard while moving is an immediate safety violation requiring an instant cease fire to prevent an unintentional discharge.
Question 4: What is the proper procedure for unloading a semi-automatic pistol before handling it to another person?
- Remove the magazine, rack the slide once, then hand it over
- Engage the safety and hand it over
- Remove the magazine, rack the slide multiple times, lock the slide back, and visually and physically inspect the chamber (Correct answer)
- Point it in a safe direction and pull the trigger to verify it is empty
Correct answer: Remove the magazine, rack the slide multiple times, lock the slide back, and visually and physically inspect the chamber
Proper unloading requires removing the magazine, cycling the action to eject any chambered round, locking the slide back, and visually and physically verifying the chamber is empty.
Question 5: Which condition describes a 'hangfire'?
- A cartridge that ignites immediately but burns too slowly
- A delayed ignition of the propellant after the trigger is pulled (Correct answer)
- A cartridge that fails to eject after firing
- A firearm that discharges without trigger pull
Correct answer: A delayed ignition of the propellant after the trigger is pulled
A hangfire is a delay between primer ignition and main propellant ignition, which may last several seconds; the firearm must remain pointed downrange during the wait period.
Question 6: When should a shooter load their firearm at a range with a firing line?
- As soon as they arrive at their shooting position
- Only after the RSO gives the command to make ready or commence firing (Correct answer)
- Immediately after completing their safety briefing
- When all other shooters on the line are ready
Correct answer: Only after the RSO gives the command to make ready or commence firing
Firearms should only be loaded on command from the RSO to ensure all personnel are in position and the range is clear before live fire begins.
Question 7: A shooter's semi-automatic firearm fails to go into battery (slide does not fully close) after chambering a round. The RSO should instruct the shooter to:
- Tap the back of the slide and attempt to fire
- Keep the muzzle downrange, tap the magazine base, and attempt to rack the slide; if it persists, call for RSO assistance (Correct answer)
- Remove the magazine and use a rod to push the round out from the muzzle
- Immediately disassemble the firearm at the bench
Correct answer: Keep the muzzle downrange, tap the magazine base, and attempt to rack the slide; if it persists, call for RSO assistance
The tap-rack malfunction clearance procedure is the correct first response while maintaining muzzle discipline; persistent issues require RSO intervention.
RSO Firearm Handling & Safety Procedures 2
When a shooter experiences a misfire, what is the correct immediate action?