What Can Cause a Pistol to Jam?

Even after years of advancement in firearms manufacturing techniques, handguns can jam and cause various issues for gun owners. Since every weapon shoots differently, the causes of gun malfunctions will vary from handgun to handgun. Below, the firearms experts from Gun Safety Training Pros, the professionals to turn to if you’re interested in taking an online gun safety class, explain some of the most common reasons a pistol jams and tips to solve each issue.

Mechanical Failures

If your firearm has defective parts, it may not shoot properly. Faulty parts could lead to jamming and dangerous accidents, which is why it’s best to inspect your gun as frequently as possible. Doing so allows you to repair or replace the defective parts that lead to malfunctions like jamming. 

Other issues could lead to malfunctions as well, such as rainy weather conditions, which could cause the firearm’s parts to degrade and negatively affect the way the handgun shoots. 

It’s necessary to maintain new firearms as frequently as older handguns. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for standard maintenance tips or talk to a representative from the store where you purchased your gun.

Failure to Keep Firearm Clean

When a handgun is dirty, it’s more likely to experience issues like jamming. If the gun chamber is clogged or too dirty, it will prevent the extractor from extracting the case correctly. In some cases, the ammunition may also be the cause, which is why you should always make time to clean your handgun. You’ll need to take apart the firearm, clean it properly, and reassemble the gun to achieve this. If this step doesn’t solve the jamming problem, it may be time to purchase a new extractor for the handgun.

Chamber Feed Problems

Rounds need to be adequately fed into the chamber for a firearm to shoot correctly. Otherwise, this can lead to various challenges, including jamming. A common cause of chamber feed issues is the type of grip on the handgun. The entire firearm can recoil when you fail to have a firm grip on the weapon. If you experience this issue, clear your chamber before shooting. In some instances, it may also be necessary to drop the magazine before firing. To enhance your gripping technique, take classes to improve your weapon-handling efficiency and other skills that can prevent your firearm from jamming.

Low-Quality Handgun

When purchasing a new or used firearm, evaluate the gun and ask as many questions as you can. If you buy a weapon of poor quality, it could lead to issues like jamming. Purchase guns from manufacturers with good reputations and avoid unknown brands or dealers who have bad track records. Although finding good deals isn’t uncommon, you should be hesitant if the dealer is basically giving the handgun away. This could be a sign the firearm is poorly made, and you should avoid the purchase.

If you already own a firearm or you’re considering purchasing one, it’s essential to know how to keep it working properly so you can use it safely. Gun Safety Training Pros is dedicated to providing the finest firearms training available. If you need to learn how to handle a gun and shoot safely and you want high-quality firearms education, check out our online gun safety course. For more information, contact one of our knowledgeable team members today at [email protected].

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