If a firearm misfires or you hear a click when pulling the trigger, what is the correct course of action?

• A. Let the hammer fall and attempt to fire again.
• B. Keep the firearm pointed downrange, finger off the trigger, wait briefly, and follow proper clearance procedures per the manual.
• C. Eject the magazine and immediately move to inspect the bore.
• D. Sweep the area for hazards.

Answer: (B)

When a firearm misfires or you hear a click, the priority is safety and control. Keep the muzzle pointed downrange, and keep your finger off the trigger. Give a brief pause to rule out a hang-fire—sometimes a delayed ignition can occur, and a short wait reduces the risk of an unexpected discharge. After that pause, follow the manual’s clearance procedure to safely clear the firearm. This approach understands that a misfire can result from a faulty primer, bad ammunition, or a mechanical issue, and it avoids rushing to fire again, which could be dangerous. The correct procedure ensures you verify the chamber and overall condition before attempting to reload or fire.

Choices that try to fire again immediately, or that suggest ejecting the magazine and inspecting the bore without following the proper safety steps, don’t address the risk and can lead to an unintended discharge. Simply sweeping the area for hazards doesn’t manage the firearm’s potential danger in the moment.