What occurs during a "failure to fire"?

During a "failure to fire," the trigger is pulled, but the round does not detonate. This malfunction can occur for a variety of reasons, such as a faulty primer, a problem with the ammunition, or an issue with the firing mechanism of the firearm itself. It's an important aspect of firearm operation to understand because it requires a specific response, often referred to as a "tap, rack, and assess" drill, to safely clear the malfunction and continue to operate the firearm.

The other situations described do not accurately characterize a "failure to fire." For example, when a cartridge fails to eject from the chamber, it is known as a "stovepipe" or "failure to extract," rather than a failure to fire. A problem with the magazine could result in feeding issues or failure to feed, and a bullet not hitting the target refers to the projectile's inability to reach the intended target, which is unrelated to whether the round fired successfully. Understanding these distinctions helps in effectively diagnosing and addressing issues that may arise while handling firearms.