How to deal with hangfires?

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    GuitarmanNick

    GuitarmanNick

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 9, 2017
    2,224
    Laurel
    My only experience with hangfires was with surplus ammo that was probably not stored in the best of conditions. Had some complete duds, but more than a few that cooked slowly before going off. Never having fired a flintlock, but was able to simulate it with my SKS until the ammo was gone. Luckily, there was only about 50 rounds of it.
     
    Blaster229

    Blaster229

    God loves you, I don't.
    MDS Supporter
    Sep 14, 2010
    46,575
    Glen Burnie
    GuitarmanNick said:
    My only experience with hangfires was with surplus ammo that was probably not stored in the best of conditions. Had some complete duds, but more than a few that cooked slowly before going off. Never having fired a flintlock, but was able to simulate it with my SKS until the ammo was gone. Luckily, there was only about 50 rounds of it.
    Click to expand...

    That would be a weird experience.
     
    J

    Jerry M

    Ultimate Member
    Jun 13, 2007
    1,690
    Glen Burnie MD
    I had hangfires with 6.5 Remington magnum using cci standard primers with Reloader 19 click...bang. I swapped to magnum primers and had no further problems.
     
    Chasbo00

    Chasbo00

    Active Member
    Jun 30, 2012
    304
    Northern VA
    In action shooting matches, competitors eat the time for stoppages and malfunctions. Just about every competitor will immediately rack the slide and eject a round that fails to fire. So, possible hangfires are basically ignored. The gun remains pointed in a safe direction and about the worst that can happen is the round detonates while outside or partially outside the chamber.

    Possible squibs are a very different matter and handled cautiously.
     
    R

    ralph.mclean

    GOC (Grumpy Old Cop)
    Jan 27, 2018
    236
    Edgewater, MD
    WAIT 30 seconds.

    If the gun is a semi-auto, remove the magazine. Place it down on the bench, if there is one. After waiting the 30 seconds, cycle the slide to eject the round.

    If the gun is a revolver, DO NOT rotate the cylinder. Open after 30 seconds and eject the round.

    For bolt-action, or break-action rifles, wait the 30 seconds and open the action.

    Careful how you use the phrase, "hang fire." A round that doesn't go off isn't a hang fire. A hang fire is a delayed discharge.

    IF you get an irregular sound upon firing, a pop instead of a BOOM, stop shooting and check your barrel for an obstruction. This would be called a "squib load." Any round fired after a squib can blow up you gun....
     
    Last edited:
    JKrew

    JKrew

    Active Member
    Jul 2, 2008
    822
    I've experienced a few hangfires with my K98K while using some old Syrian ammo. It is a weird feeling when you pull the trigger and slightly later it fires. None have been more than a second though.
     
    Mark75H

    Mark75H

    MD Wear&Carry Instructor
    Industry Partner
    MDS Supporter
    Sep 25, 2011
    17,248
    Outside the Gates
    ralph.mclean said:
    WAIT 30 seconds.

    If the gun is a semi-auto, remove the magazine. Place it down on the bench, if there is one. After waiting the 30 seconds, cycle the slide to eject the round.

    If the gun is a revolver, DO NOT rotate the cylinder. Open after 30 seconds and eject the round.

    For bolt-action, or break-action rifles, wait the 30 seconds and open the action.

    Careful how you use the phrase, "hang fire." A round that doesn't go off isn't a hang fire. A hang fire is a delayed discharge.

    IF you get an irregular sound upon firing, a pop instead of a BOOM, stop shooting and check your barrel for an obstruction. This would be called a "squib load." Any round fired after a squib can blow up you gun....
    Click to expand...

    I hope you meant wait 30 seconds before putting it on the bench.
     
    Inigoes

    Inigoes

    Head'n for the hills
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 21, 2008
    49,538
    SoMD / West PA
    30 seconds to a minute for modern ammo, firearm is always pointed down range while ejecting the round. Put spent round in an empty metal ammo can away from people (in case, it cooks off)

    2 minutes for black powder.
     
    Pinecone

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    Inigoes said:
    30 seconds to a minute for modern ammo, firearm is always pointed down range while ejecting the round. Put spent round in an empty metal ammo can away from people (in case, it cooks off)

    2 minutes for black powder.
    Click to expand...

    Once the breech is unlocked, if the round fires, it will not discharge the bullet.

    Stuff will be coming out the ejection port or around the bolt/breech.
     
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