Introduction to Dry Fire Training Malfunctions

Dry fire training is an essential practice for improving firearm handling skills without the need for live ammunition. It allows shooters to work on grip, stance, drawing from a holster, sight alignment, sight picture, trigger control and other fundamental skills in a safe environment. During live fire, malfunctions can occur and understanding what these are and how to fix them can be practiced during dry fire sessions. In this guide, we’ll explore the three types of malfunctions that can happen during live fire training and how to work through them.

Types of Malfunctions

Type 1 Malfunction: Failure to Fire

Explanation: During live fire, a failure to fire occurs when the trigger is pulled, but the round does not discharge. There is a click, but no bang! This can happen due to several reasons including failure to fully seat the magazine; failure to load the chamber (forgot to rack the slide); a bad round; or less likely a gun malfunction. 

How to Address: Perform a tap-rack-roll. Bring the pistol back towards you into your workspace (which is between your face and the target) while keeping the muzzle pointed downrange. Rotate the ejection port towards the ground as you slap the base of the magazine to ensure it is properly seated. Using a palmar pinch (fingertips and palm grabbing opposite sides of the slide) rack the slide forcefully then let it go (allowing the recoil spring to chamber a new round). Reestablish your grip and drive your sights back on target. This is for a right handed person. 

For our left handed friends you would also bring the gun back to your work space and slap the base of the magazine to seat it with your right hand. Then roll the ejection port towards the ground as you slingshot the slide (by using a later pinch on the rear of the slide with your right hand to clear the spent casing and chamber a new round). Remember to let the slide slam home and do not “ride” it forward.

Type 2 Malfunction: Failure to Eject

Explanation: Also known as a stovepipe. This is where a spent casing gets hung up, failing to clear the ejection port. You’ll have a dead trigger and see a casing sticking out of the ejection port. A failure to eject can be caused by limp-wristing (not holding the pistol tight enough for proper recoil to eject the spent casing and chamber a new round); poor ammunition; a broken or worn extractor; a malfunctioning magazine or a problem with the recoil spring. 

How to Address: This can be simulated during dry fire training by placing a spent casing or snap cap into the ejection port. The response to a type 2 malfunction is exactly the same as for a type 1 malfunction. Just make sure your hand is not covering the ejection port preventing the stuck casing from falling free.

Type 3 Malfunction: Failure to Extract

Explanation: This malfunction is also called a double feed. It occurs when a spent casing or live round is in the chamber and another round is being stripped off the magazine trying to get into the occupied chamber. As with a type 2 malfunction you’ll have a dead trigger and as you look into the ejection port there is no stovepipe, but two rounds trying to occupy the chamber. This can also happen if the case is actually stuck or the extractor is broken and renders the handgun inoperable. In the latter case you’ll need tools to fix it. 

How to Address: You can set this up during dry fire by having a snap cap in the chamber with the slide open then loading a magazine with snap caps and releasing the slide. This will cause the snap cap from the magazine to butt up against the chambered snap cap. The fix is solvable, but more lengthy in process. Bring the gun into your workspace and lock the slide back. Next strip the magazine from the mag well and hold it or stow it if you don’t have a spare magazine. If you have a spare magazine just let it fall to the ground. Vigorously rack the slide three times then reinsert the magazine or perform an emergency reload. Reestablish your grip and drive your sights back on target. Should this happen during a gunfight you’ll want to be behind cover while fixing this!

To ensure your dry fire training is both safe and effective, download the checklist I’ve prepared for you. This guide includes safety tips and will keep you safe while you improve your gun handling skills.

[DOWNLOADABLE PDF] 10 Tips For Safe Dry Fire Practice

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Dry fire training is a powerful tool for improving your shooting skills and practicing malfunctions. By understanding and addressing these issues, you can make the most of your training sessions and ensure a more productive range day. Remember to download the checklist and add in these malfunction drills. With practice, fixing malfunctions will become subconscious habits.