Understanding Firearm Malfunctions

Even the most reliable firearms can experience issues, especially under heavy use or harsh conditions. Whether you're running drills at the range, preparing for home defense, or relying on your weapon for tactical applications, understanding how to quickly diagnose and fix common gun issues is essential.

At Standard Issue Armory, we pride ourselves on delivering precision builds and expert gunsmithing. Today, we're sharing tactical solutions to the most common firearm malfunctions.

1. Failure to Feed (FTF)

A failure to feed occurs when a round fails to correctly enter the chamber from the magazine. This is a common issue in both AR-15 platforms and semi-automatic pistols.

• The Cause: Often, this is a magazine issue—weak springs or bent feed lips. It can also be caused by excessive dirt in the action or riding the slide/charging handle.
• The Solution: Always perform proper firearms maintenance. Keep your weapon clean and well-lubricated. If the issue persists, try a different, high-quality magazine. If you're running a custom build, contact Standard Issue Armory for a professional inspection of your feed ramps and chamber.

2. Failure to Eject (Stovepipe)

A stovepipe malfunction happens when a spent casing gets caught in the ejection port, resembling a stovepipe sticking out of your gun.

• The Cause: This is typically caused by "limp-wristing" (not maintaining a firm grip) in handguns, or an under-gassed system in rifles. It can also be caused by weak ammunition or a worn extractor.
• The Solution: Ensure you have a firm, high grip on your handgun to provide a solid backstop for the recoil spring to work against. For rifles, clearing the malfunction involves the classic "Tap, Rack, Bang" drill. If your rifle consistently stovepipes, the team at Standard Issue Armory can tune your gas system for optimal reliability.

3. Failure to Extract

A failure to extract occurs when the fired casing remains fully or partially in the chamber while the bolt or slide attempts to load a fresh round, causing a double feed.

• The Cause: This is usually due to a broken or worn extractor, a weak extractor spring, or an extremely dirty chamber holding onto the casing.
• The Solution: First, lock the bolt back, remove the magazine, and manually clear the chamber. To prevent this, ensure regular cleaning of your chamber using a proper brush. If the extractor is worn, it requires replacement—a quick fix for a qualified gunsmith.

4. Light Primer Strikes

You pull the trigger, hear a "click," but the gun doesn't go "bang." Upon inspecting the ejected round, you see only a tiny dent in the primer.

• The Cause: Light primer strikes are often caused by hard primers (common in military surplus ammo), a weak hammer/striker spring, or excess carbon buildup in the firing pin channel.
• The Solution: Try different ammunition first. If the problem continues, the firing pin channel needs to be thoroughly cleaned. Upgrading to a premium trigger group or replacing worn springs will drastically improve ignition reliability.

5. Squib Load

A squib load is a highly dangerous malfunction where the fired bullet does not have enough force to exit the barrel and becomes lodged inside.

• The Cause: Faulty ammunition with insufficient or missing powder.
• The Solution: If you fire a shot and experience noticeably less recoil and a muted "pop" sound instead of a standard gunshot, STOP FIRING IMMEDIATELY. Firing another round behind a squib can cause the barrel to explode, leading to catastrophic failure and severe injury. Unload the weapon, field strip it, and use a rod to clear the barrel.

Trust the Experts at Standard Issue Armory

Troubleshooting and fixing these issues requires a baseline of knowledge and consistent firearms maintenance. However, if your weapon needs more than a simple cleaning, it's time to consult the professionals.

Whether you need custom gunsmithing, an AR-15 diagnostic, or premium Cerakote finishes, Standard Issue Armory has you covered. Visit us at standardissuearmory.com to explore our tactical solutions and ensure your firearm is always mission-ready.