When using a gun, you expect it to work as intended. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. For example, a gun could malfunction for a variety of reasons, such as a defective design.
Even though today’s guns are more reliable than ever before, you never know if something will go wrong. Here are four types of malfunctions that can result in trouble:
- Failure of the gun to fire: It’s not common, but you could come across this at some point. If your gun fails to fire, keep it pointed down as there’s always a chance it could accidentally discharge. From there, remove the round and empty the gun.
- Failure of the gun to feed: This can happen for a number of reasons, such as weak magazine springs, damaged magazines, damaged cartridges, and dirt or debris accumulation in the chamber. To fix this issue, carefully remove the magazine from the gun and inspect the chamber.
- Failure of the gun to extract: This occurs when you’re unable to remove the empty cartridge from the chamber, often leading to prematurely feeding another.
- Failure to eject: There are many reasons for this, such as a weak grip on the gun or a damaged chamber. Just the same as the other malfunctions, you must carefully examine the gun to pinpoint the cause.
It doesn’t matter if you have many years of experience with a gun or you’re a new shooter, you could come face-to-face with one of these gun malfunctions. Knowing how to address every potential situation will help you maintain your safety.
If you’re injured in a gun accident, such as one related to a defect, it’s critical to receive immediate medical attention. Call 911 or ask someone to transport you to a local hospital, if it’s more time-efficient to do so.
After receiving treatment, consult with your medical team about your prognosis and next steps in your recovery. From there, revisit the accident to better understand the cause and to determine what to do next. You may be able to take steps to receive compensation, such as in the case of a defective gun.
Visit our website for more information on gun accidents and injuries in Montana.