Lesson 3.4: Basic Malfunctions and Maintenance
Purpose of This Lesson
Firearms are mechanical tools. Mechanical tools can fail, wear, get dirty, or be used incorrectly.
This lesson teaches the student to recognize when something is wrong, respond safely, and understand that a carry pistol must be kept in working condition.
Safety Comes First
When a firearm does not work as expected, safety comes before speed.
Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Keep your finger off the trigger. Do not turn around with the firearm in your hand. Do not point the firearm at yourself or anyone else while trying to fix the problem.
On the range, stop and follow instructor commands. If you are unsure what to do, keep the muzzle pointed safely downrange, keep your finger off the trigger, and ask for help.
If the Firearm Does Not Work
A malfunction is any condition where the firearm does not fire, feed, eject, cycle, or operate as expected.
The student does not need to diagnose every possible cause during this course. The student needs to recognize the problem, stay safe, and get the firearm back into a safe condition.
Do not fight the gun. Do not force the action. Do not pretend you know what is wrong.
Squib Load or Abnormal Shot
A squib load is a dangerous ammunition failure where the bullet may not leave the barrel.
Warning signs may include an unusually soft report, reduced recoil, smoke, a strange sound, failure to cycle, or a shot that simply feels wrong.
If a shot sounds or feels wrong, stop immediately. Do not fire another round. Keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction and get instructor assistance.
Firing another round behind a bullet stuck in the barrel can destroy the firearm and seriously injure people.
Revolvers Can Fail Too
Revolvers can malfunction.
Debris, ammunition problems, cylinder binding, high primers, damaged parts, or timing issues can stop a revolver from working correctly.
If the cylinder will not rotate, the trigger feels wrong, the hammer will not operate normally, or the firearm feels locked up, stop and get help.
Basic Maintenance
A carry pistol must be kept clean, inspected, and properly maintained.
Confirm the firearm is unloaded before cleaning. Remove live ammunition from the cleaning area. Follow the manufacturer instructions. Clean fouling, lint, dirt, and debris. Inspect magazines, sights, screws, springs, and visible parts. Use appropriate lubrication.
A firearm carried daily may collect lint, sweat, dust, moisture, and debris. That matters.
Ammunition, Magazines, and Modifications
Use the correct ammunition for the firearm. Do not use ammunition that is damaged, corroded, questionable, or visibly unsafe.
Magazines should be inspected for damage, dirt, weak springs, damaged feed lips, and proper seating.
Modifications can affect reliability and safety. Any firearm used for carry should be tested and proven with the ammunition and magazines you intend to use.
A carry gun should be reliable before it is interesting.
Davey Defense Standard
At Davey Defense, students are expected to handle malfunctions safely and follow instructor commands.
If your firearm malfunctions during live fire, keep the muzzle pointed downrange, keep your finger off the trigger, and wait for instruction unless directed otherwise.
Bring safe, functional, appropriate equipment. A dirty, damaged, unreliable, or unfamiliar firearm can create problems for everyone on the range.