Handgun Functions, Malfunctions, Remedial Actions

Discussing the 4 functions a firearm performs, the 4 malfunctions, and the 2 remedial actions which will clear the 4 malfunctions.

Feed Fire Extract Eject
Failure to Feed
Failure to Fire
Failure to Extract
Failure to Eject

Failures to Feed, Fire, or Eject can be cleared with the "Tap, Rack, Target" method.

Failure to Extract can be cleared by locking the slide to rear, forcefully removing the magazine, vigorously racking the slide to extract and eject, and then locking the slide, inserting a magazine and racking the slide. An alternate ending to the remedial action after vigorously racking the slide is to insert the mag and rack the slide.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Deadeyes
• Bulletholeleague
• shooting
• remedial
• actions
• malfunctions
• firearm
• handgun
• functions

[mr00jimbo]

I've had a case with rimfire pistols where a round will fail to fire. Most cases I wait 30 seconds, then drop the magazine, extract the round, reinsert and try again.

However, one time a round failed to fire, and refused to come out of the magazine. I racked the slide repeatedly, but the round wouldn't come out of the chamber. How would you recommend clearing this? I've been told to just put a rod through the muzzle and push it out of the chamber. Is this the safe way to do it?

[DeadeyeSteve]

@mr00jimbo Yeah, largely safe.  I tend to use the blade of a knife and use that to pry it out of the chamber.

[DobermansRock]

@DeadeyeSteve For an advanced class with 1911's you could show how they can be taken apart without tools, only what make them up. Get into the parts and how they relate. Then take notes on ideas. I am a gunsmith on my own guns and could see a wealth of ideas/knowledge get shared. If I can make it to Texas I hope we can talk face to face. I shoot for fun and sport. I work on my guns to try and improve on the design. Shooting itself is just skill built over time.

[DobermansRock]

@DeadeyeSteve Get up...

[DeadeyeSteve]

@DobermansRock  No, sir, thank you. I hadn't actually thought to include the additional information in intermediate classes, now I just might. It was basic, mininalist and largely "good enough." Communication is good. I apprecitate the differing perspective. It's healthy.

[DeadeyeSteve]

@DobermansRock "One, two, three, four...."

[DobermansRock]

@DeadeyeSteve What you are teaching is perfect for a new shooter. The further functions can actually help identify in a pin point way what the problem is. IE slide does not go all the way forward but nearly. Instead of dropping the mag and racking the slide, just push it the rest of the way to lock. Sorry you were doing basic skills and I was going into intermediate or advanced stuff. Can't help it I was an armorer when I was in the Army and with machine guns there is a lot happening.

[DobermansRock]

@DeadeyeSteve Smartass do pushups. If you buy an ATI you will have none of these problems. Loaded mag in, pull trigger 8-9 times, mag out. Repeat.

[DobermansRock]

@DeadeyeSteve Smartass do pushups.

[DeadeyeSteve]

I teach the load as a 3 step process: load cartiridges into the magazine, insert magazine into the firearm, and cycle the slide. The unload is also a 3 step process, remove the magazine, cycle the slide, inspect for an empty chamber. You can teach a person how to load, unload, remediate simple malfunctions (FtFeed, Fire, Eject) and remediate complex malfunctions (FtExtract) with 2 simple processes of 3 steps each. Ruminate and hit me back with your thoughts.

[DeadeyeSteve]

So the student is standing there with a gun that ain't going bang. Whether it be in a gun fight, in competition, or on the firing line, the gun ain't going bang when it is.

.

My minimalist approach has lead me to teach loading and unloading and turn those same actions into remediation of the malfunction. First, load the gun- insure the magazine is in the firearm and attempt to cycle a round into the chamber. If this does not work, unload the gun and load the gun.