If you’ve shot a semi-auto handgun more than just a couple of times, it’s happened to you. Malfunctions are the bane of self-loading firearms. There are many causes of semi-auto handgun malfunctions; common ones include: poor technique by the shooter, mechanical problems, ammunition, dirt, improper lubrication, weak springs and magazines. With so many potential failures facing us, it’s important to know how to get our pistols quickly back in the game.
My husband Chris always says, “The body won’t go where the mind has never been.” In other words, the only way to learn how to clear gun malfunctions is by practicing clearing gun malfunctions.
The 3 most common malfunctions in semi-auto handguns are misfires, double feeds and failures to fully eject (also known as stovepipes).
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Misfire
A misfire, also known as “failure to fire,” occurs when the firing pin hits the cartridge but the gun doesn’t fire. The main causes for this malfunction: a bad primer caused by an indentation or blemish, riding the slide forward (causing the gun not to go fully into battery), light/wrong/worn/broken springs, a bad firing pin or carbon build up in the working parts of the gun. Also, if you’ve had work done to your pistol, like I have with my competition gun, it may only work with certain primers. Some primers are too hard for my gun’s light spring to detonate.
Double feed
This can occur when the casing from a fired round doesn’t fully eject and 2 rounds try to get into the chamber at the same time. As with a misfire, there are many possible causes for a double feed. Whether it’s the ammunition, an improperly seated magazine, dirty chamber or faulty magazine spring, a double feed is identified when the gun’s slide gets stuck partially open.
(Chris Cerino photo)
Failure to eject
A failure to fully eject occurs when the fired ammunition case is trapped with a portion sticking-out of the gun’s ejection port (hence the common term for this malfunction, a “stove pipe”). When this happens, another round cannot feed into the chamber until the casing is removed. Possible causes for this malfunction include underpowered ammunition, a dirty chamber, an improperly lubricated gun or a weak recoil spring. Failing to manage recoil properly by holding the pistol incorrectly is the most common cause, though.
(Chris Cerino photo)
Avoiding malfunctions
A shooter can take a few steps to avoid these malfunctions:
Your first response to any “click” and not a “bang” should be a tap/rack process. This should clear most misfires and failures to eject.
Tap, rack, reassess!
If this doesn’t clear the malfunction, execute the following technique to solve a double feed.
Lock it open, clear it, reload!
There are other malfunctions you may encounter, and other people may have their own spins on how to clear them; asking a competent shooter for help is your best bet if you are drawing a blank. Nothing beats hands-on instruction.
At the very least, remember the bottom line in each of these techniques is to unload the gun and then reload it! And, always keep your gun pointed in a safe direction.
Michelle Cerino, aka Princess Gunslinger, first entered the firearms industry in 2011 as co-owner, president and trainer at a national training company. She immediately began competing in both 3-Gun and NRA Action Pistol, becoming a sponsored shooter. Michelle is currently a columnist and Managing Editor of Women’s Outdoor News, as well as owner of Pervenio LLC. She also manages social media for Vera Koo and FASTER Saves Lives. Michelle encourages others to step out of the comforts of home and explore. View all posts by Michelle Cerino
