What is the proper procedure for a misfire or dud on the firing line?

• A. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, pause briefly, then eject and re-chamber a new round or clear.
• B. Continue firing through the misfire to clear the obstruction.
• C. Point the firearm at a crowd to scare them.
• D. Ignore the misfire and put the gun away.

Answer: (C)

When a misfire happens, safety must guide the response. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction (downrange) and your finger off the trigger. Pause briefly to rule out delayed ignition. Then eject the misfired cartridge and either re-chamber a new round or clear the chamber, verifying there’s no obstruction. Only resume firing when the range officer confirms it’s safe. This approach prevents delayed discharges and protects everyone on the line.