Every shooter will eventually pull the trigger and get something other than a normal shot. Knowing whether you're dealing with a misfire, a squib, or a hang fire tells you exactly what to do next, and doing the wrong thing can hurt you or wreck your gun.
Misfire
A misfire is when you pull the trigger and the round doesn't fire at all. You hear a click and nothing else.
Common causes are a bad or improperly seated primer, a light primer strike, or old ammunition that was stored poorly.
What to do: keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and wait 30 seconds before opening the action. A "misfire" can actually be a hang fire that hasn't gone off yet.
Squib Round
A squib is when the round fires but doesn't have enough force to push the bullet out of the barrel. The bullet can lodge in the bore.
Common causes are a missing or too-light powder charge (often from reloads) or a defective cartridge.
You'll notice a "pop" that's much quieter than normal and little or no recoil.
What to do: stop shooting immediately. Don't fire another round. Unload the gun and check the barrel for an obstruction. Firing a round behind a stuck bullet can blow up the barrel and injure you.
Hang Fire
A hang fire is a delay between the trigger pull and the shot. The gun goes off a split second, or several seconds, late.
Common causes are a slow-igniting primer or powder, often made worse by cold, moisture, or poor-quality ammo.
What to do: this is why the 30-second rule exists. Keep the gun pointed downrange and wait before you open the action. A round that fires outside the chamber can send brass and fragments flying.
Quick Comparison
| What happens | What you'll notice | What to do | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Misfire | Round doesn't fire | Click, no shot | Muzzle safe, wait 30 seconds, then clear |
| Squib | Bullet may stick in the barrel | Quiet pop, weak recoil | Stop, unload, check the barrel |
| Hang fire | Shot fires late | Delay after the trigger pull | Muzzle safe, wait 30 seconds |
The Bottom Line
Any time something feels or sounds off, stop and figure out which one you're dealing with before you fire again. Recognizing these malfunctions and responding the right way is a big part of handling a firearm safely.
Want hands-on practice clearing malfunctions? Our Pistol 1 and Introduction to Pistol Basics classes cover it, and we offer private instruction too.