What should be done if a semiautomatic rifle/carbine experiences a stovepipe malfunction?

A stovepipe malfunction occurs when a spent cartridge case fails to fully eject from the firearm's ejection port and instead gets caught in the port, resembling a stovepipe. This typically happens due to insufficient extraction or ejection during the firing cycle.

Using a Phase 2 clearance procedure is appropriate in this situation because it is designed for clearing failure-to-eject malfunctions, including stovepipes. The Phase 2 clearance involves a combination of actions: first, the shooter should pull the charging handle to the rear to remove the malfunctioning case, then release it to chamber another round. This procedure allows the operator to quickly and effectively resolve the malfunction and return the firearm to operational status.

In contrast, replacing the ammunition would not address the immediate issue at hand, as the problem is related to the ejection of the spent cartridge rather than the round itself. Switching to a different firearm would be unnecessarily drastic, as most stovepipe issues can be resolved through proper clearing techniques. Cleaning the barrel also does not address the particular malfunction since a stovepipe is related to ejection, not barrel cleanliness. Therefore, employing the Phase 2 clearance is the best approach to resolving a stovepipe malfunction efficiently.