RSO Firearm Stoppages and Malfunctions 4

Question 1

A shooter reports hearing a 'pop' with reduced recoil and sees no ejected case. What should the RSO immediately direct?

Accepted Answer

Cease fire, keep the gun pointed downrange, and wait 30 seconds before opening the action

Answer

A reduced-recoil pop with no ejection is a classic squib indicator; the RSO must prevent another round from being fired into a potentially obstructed barrel.

Question 2

What is the recommended wait time before opening a bolt-action or semi-auto rifle after a suspected hang-fire?

Accepted Answer

30 seconds

Answer

Industry and SAAMI guidance recommend waiting at least 30 seconds (some protocols specify 60) before opening the action on a suspected hang-fire.

Question 3

Which firearm component failure most commonly causes a semi-automatic pistol to fail to eject spent cases?

Accepted Answer

Worn or broken extractor

Answer

The extractor hooks onto the case rim to pull it from the chamber; a worn or broken extractor cannot grip the case and fails to eject it.

Question 4

An RSO notices a shooter 'limp-wristing' a semi-auto pistol, causing repeated failures to eject. What is the root cause?

Accepted Answer

Insufficient resistance from the shooter's grip, allowing the frame to move rearward with the slide

Answer

Limp-wristing reduces the frame's inertial resistance, so the slide and frame move together rather than the slide cycling fully against a stable frame.

Question 5

When performing a Type 3 (double-feed) clearance on a semi-automatic pistol, what is the correct sequence?

Accepted Answer

Lock slide back, strip magazine, rack three times, insert fresh magazine, rack, assess

Answer

Type 3 clearance requires locking the slide to the rear, stripping the magazine, running the slide multiple times to clear the double-fed rounds, then reloading.

(RSO) Certified Range Safety Officer Practice Test

(RSO) Certified Range Safety Officer Practice Test

RSO Firearm Stoppages and Malfunctions 4