Rastoff
US Veteran
***Public Service Announcement (PSA)***
There are three ways a cartridge can fail. These may be new terms for some of you so, here we go....
Ignition Failure (Dud round)
This is when a cartridge is chambered, the firing pin/striker hits the primer, but the primer fails to ignite the powder. There are different causes for this. The powder could be wet or simply inactive. The primer itself could fail to operate.
Indication- Click but no bang.
Fix- Wait 15-30 seconds and eject round. Check remaining ammo for damage or chemical intrusion. Insert another.
Squib
This is a cartridge that fails to have a complete burn of the powder or maybe has no powder. This can also be caused by partially wet powder. This is exceptionally dangerous because it usually leaves the bullet in the barrel. If another cartridge is loaded and fired there will be an obstruction and it WILL damage the gun if not cause a catastrophic failure. Most dangerous in a double action revolver because the shooter may not notice the light recoil and just press the trigger again.
Indication- Lighter than normal recoil and quieter report. Usually doesn't have enough power to cycle the slide, but don't rely on that.
Fix- Disassemble the gun and use a rod to remove the stuck bullet in the barrel. This may require a gunsmith. Check remaining ammo for damage or chemical intrusion.
Hang Fire
This is when the trigger is pressed, but there is a noticeable delay in ignition. This is the reason to wait 15-30 seconds when there is a click but no bang. If the shooter immediately tries to eject the round, it could go off just as it's being ejected. Keep the muzzle down range. This way, should there be a hang fire, the round will go harmlessly down range. The hang fire can be caused by a slow chemical reaction or it could be a mechanical problem. I have seen a gun fire because it was so dirty the hammer stayed back for a second after the trigger was pressed.
Indication- Click, but no bang initially, followed closely by a bang.
Fix- Keep the muzzle down range. Check that particular lot of ammo for any noticeable damage or strange marks on the casing.
There are three ways a cartridge can fail. These may be new terms for some of you so, here we go....
Ignition Failure (Dud round)
This is when a cartridge is chambered, the firing pin/striker hits the primer, but the primer fails to ignite the powder. There are different causes for this. The powder could be wet or simply inactive. The primer itself could fail to operate.
Indication- Click but no bang.
Fix- Wait 15-30 seconds and eject round. Check remaining ammo for damage or chemical intrusion. Insert another.
Squib
This is a cartridge that fails to have a complete burn of the powder or maybe has no powder. This can also be caused by partially wet powder. This is exceptionally dangerous because it usually leaves the bullet in the barrel. If another cartridge is loaded and fired there will be an obstruction and it WILL damage the gun if not cause a catastrophic failure. Most dangerous in a double action revolver because the shooter may not notice the light recoil and just press the trigger again.
Indication- Lighter than normal recoil and quieter report. Usually doesn't have enough power to cycle the slide, but don't rely on that.
Fix- Disassemble the gun and use a rod to remove the stuck bullet in the barrel. This may require a gunsmith. Check remaining ammo for damage or chemical intrusion.
Hang Fire
This is when the trigger is pressed, but there is a noticeable delay in ignition. This is the reason to wait 15-30 seconds when there is a click but no bang. If the shooter immediately tries to eject the round, it could go off just as it's being ejected. Keep the muzzle down range. This way, should there be a hang fire, the round will go harmlessly down range. The hang fire can be caused by a slow chemical reaction or it could be a mechanical problem. I have seen a gun fire because it was so dirty the hammer stayed back for a second after the trigger was pressed.
Indication- Click, but no bang initially, followed closely by a bang.
Fix- Keep the muzzle down range. Check that particular lot of ammo for any noticeable damage or strange marks on the casing.
