Proper technique question

[ruchik]

I have a question regarding the technique for clearing a malfunction where a round may or may not be in the chamber, and nothing happens when the trigger is pulled. Tap, rack, bang would be the remedy, because it would fix either the problem of a round not having been chambered or a dud round. But what about hangfires? I see a lot of training videos where the trainers just go straight into a TRB, but that possibility of a hangfire gives me pause. Are you supposed to count for a few seconds, and then clear the malfunction?

[NSR500]

Good question!

For paper punching at the range I usually wait until I'm sure the round won't go off.
If I was in a defense situation and needed my gun to run, you bet your butt I won't hessitate. I'll get that gun back into action without thinking twice about a hang fire.

[PC3597]

Tap, rack, assess

We teach tap, rack, assess. Unless you strictly shoot paper, and have no intention of using the pistol for defense, we teach immediate action. It is too difficult to train two ways, one for paper, one for fighting. Train how you wish to fight. The waiting for a hang-fire option is a safe thing to do, it may cost you your life in a gunfight. The worst thing that may happen is you eject a live round which detonates outside of the gun. It may sound bad, but trust me, I have done it, it's not that bad. Sounds like a firecracker, but there is no confined space to contain the pressure (chamber) therefore, all the energy just goes in all directions causing little or no damage. That is worst case for ejecting a hang-fire.

PS, We (trainers) are generally getting away from tap, rack, bang because the situation may have changed since your malfunction and the time you clear it (hands go up, weapon gets dropped, suspect goes down). That is the reason for the "assess", not just an automatic "bang". We are liable for EVERY round fired.

[Greg-Dawg]

Use tap, rack-rack-rack or tap, rack-lock back, rack and bang.

[Dr Rockso]

Use tap, rack-rack-rack or tap, rack-lock back, rack and bang.

He's not clearing a double feed...that seems like a lot of wasted time for a simple failure to feed or failure to fire.

[swifty]

Back in the day hangfires were common with paper hulled shotgun shells that had become wet, not so much with metallic cartridges. Hangfires are pretty much extinct with modern ammo that is in decent shape, not oil soaked etc..

Tap, rack, ready, immediately is now the norm.

[Average Joe American]

It is too difficult to train two ways, one for paper, one for fighting. Train how you wish to fight.

This is the best advice you'll get all day. Listen to it. Dont train for paper and train differently for a real fight.

[shortround1]

I think I found a helpful video. It's always helpful to see it in action to get a good understanding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJaQvV6q-D8

[G-forceJunkie]

Anybody had a hangfire in modern pistol ammo? I've only seen it in old military rifle surplus (.303 brittish.)

[ruchik]

Good points all. Sounds like just clearing the malfunction is the way to go. I assume though, for safety purposes, I should wait a bit on a failure to fire at the range when there's other people around, correct?

[swifty]

I'm guessing there is a greater chance of having a cartridge land on it's primer and fire, then there is in having a hangfire.

[Cokebottle]

The worst thing that may happen is you eject a live round which detonates outside of the gun. It may sound bad, but trust me, I have done it, it's not that bad. Sounds like a firecracker, but there is no confined space to contain the pressure (chamber) therefore, all the energy just goes in all directions causing little or no damage. That is worst case for ejecting a hang-fire.

Except in the case of a revolver

[PC3597]

Good point, Cokebottle...but if people are trying to tap and rack a revolver, they've got more issues than we can solve here...hahaha

[Cokebottle]

Good point, Cokebottle...but if people are trying to tap and rack a revolver, they've got more issues than we can solve here...hahaha

LOL!

Ya... but it is one issue with a revolver where a misfire/hang-fire can be a serious concern in a self-defense situation.

I hadn't thought about actual ammo failures before in developing my opinions of the best type of handgun for PD.

And given the nearly 100% reliability of revolvers, the less than nearly 100% reliability of semi-autos, and the nearly 0% chance of a hang fire.... I don't think my opinion will change

But I really do enjoy having more than 5 rounds available.

[Corbin Dallas]

I have a question regarding the technique for clearing a malfunction where a round may or may not be in the chamber, and nothing happens when the trigger is pulled. Tap, rack, bang would be the remedy, because it would fix either the problem of a round not having been chambered or a dud round. But what about hangfires? I see a lot of training videos where the trainers just go straight into a TRB, but that possibility of a hangfire gives me pause. Are you supposed to count for a few seconds, and then clear the malfunction?

Hang fires almost NEVER occur with loaded cartridges. However, there is a possibility and if you are unsure, wait 30 seconds then Tap, Invert, Rack and Assess.