Common Handgun Malfunctions and How to Fix Them
- Jaron Smitih
- Jan 19
- 3 min read
Handgun malfunctions can happen to any shooter, whether you are a beginner or an experienced marksman. Knowing how to identify and fix these issues quickly is essential for safety and maintaining confidence in your firearm. This post covers the most common handgun malfunctions and practical steps to resolve them.
Reminder: Whenever learning about firearms, you want to ensure that you are the proper environment. The following failures should be fixed when in a safe, live-firing environment.
Also, be sure to adhere to the "Safety Six" rules.
Treat all guns as if they are real and loaded.
Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
Always point the muzzle in the safest direction.
Know your target and what is surrounding it.
Never try to catch falling guns or gear.
Safely store and/or stage all firearms and ammunition.
Failure to Feed
A failure to feed occurs when a new round does not properly enter the chamber. This can cause the gun to jam and stop firing.
Common causes:
Dirty or damaged magazine
Weak magazine spring
Improperly seated magazine
Dirty chamber or feed ramp
How to fix it:
Remove the magazine and clear any rounds stuck in the chamber.
Clean the magazine and inspect the spring for wear.
Clean the chamber and feed ramp with a brush and solvent.
Reinsert the magazine firmly and rack the slide to chamber a round.
Regular magazine maintenance and using quality ammunition reduce the chances of this malfunction.
Failure to Eject (Stovepipe)
This happens when the spent casing does not eject fully and gets stuck in the ejection port, often sticking out like a "stovepipe."
Common causes:
Weak or dirty extractor
Dirty chamber or ejection port
Low-powered ammunition
How to fix it:
Lock the slide back and clear the casing manually.
Clean the extractor and ejection port thoroughly.
Use ammunition recommended by the firearm manufacturer.
Practicing immediate action drills like the "tap, rack, bang" method helps clear this malfunction quickly during shooting.
Failure to Fire (Misfire)
A failure to fire occurs when the trigger is pulled, but the gun does not discharge.
Common causes:
Faulty or old ammunition
Dirty firing pin or firing pin channel
Weak firing pin spring
How to fix it:
Remove the magazine and clear the chamber.
Inspect and replace ammunition if necessary.
Clean the firing pin and channel to ensure smooth movement.
If the problem persists, have a gunsmith check the firing pin spring.
Always store ammunition properly to avoid degradation that leads to misfires.
Double Feed
A double feed happens when two rounds try to enter the chamber simultaneously, causing a jam.
Common causes:
Damaged or dirty magazine lips
Weak magazine spring
Improper loading technique
How to fix it:
Lock the slide back and remove the magazine.
Clear the chamber by removing any rounds.
Inspect and clean the magazine, focusing on the feed lips.
Reload the magazine carefully and reinsert it.
Replacing worn magazines can prevent repeated double feeds.
Slide Not Locking Back
Sometimes the slide fails to lock back after the last round, which can confuse the shooter about the gun’s status.
Common causes:
Weak magazine spring
Dirty or damaged slide stop lever
Improperly seated magazine
How to fix it:
Clean and lubricate the slide stop lever.
Check the magazine spring tension.
Ensure the magazine is fully seated.
If the slide still does not lock back, consult a professional for inspection.
If a visual representation is helpful, then you can follow the link to learn more.
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