What is a "Stovepipe" Malfunction and how to clear it?
I am a firearms instructor and competetive shooter.Constantly seeking to improve my life skills, shooting proficiencies, and ability to teach, I am a forever student.I share what I learn in Locked Back.
Stovepipes are a type of malfunction that puts your handgun in a complete inoperable state.This is a serious problem in a competition, self-defense, or combat environment.While there are several techniques to clear a stovepipe malfunction, some of them may get your firearm in an even worse jam, or they simply take too long.
There is a chance of astovepipe malfunction if a spent casing is not ejected far enough or fast enough to leave the firearm's ejection port.The spent casing gets caught by the handgun slide, preventing the firearm from returning to its original state.It's easy to spot a stovepipe malfunction because the spent shell will be sticking out of the gun.
Poor magazine, dirty gun, and a bad recoil spring are some of the issues that can cause stovepipes.Something is seriously wrong with your gun if stovepipes become a regular issue.The usual fixes to this malfunction are easy.
To rack the slide is the most important thing to not do with a stovepipe malfunction.This can cause a double feed malfunction, which can leave live bullets on the ground.That is very bad in a time sensitive shooting scenario.Rather than rack the slide, use your hand to sweep the spent casing out of it.It is possible that this will result in finish wear on your handgun, but we are more concerned about clearing the malfunction than the firearm.After the stovepipe has been cleared, you can shoot the handgun if you tap the back of the pistol slide to make sure it's in battery.
A stovepipe jam can be cleared with two quick steps and minimal impact on your shooting session.
The stovepipe clearing technique can be practiced at the range or at home.Pick up a spent shell and practice what you see in the video at the range during live fire.Load your magazine with dummy rounds for some easy, safe, and cheap malfunction drills if you want to practice dry fire at home.
If you want to prevent your hand from passing in front of the firearm's muzzle, you should practice this malfunction drill in a dry fire environment.Start slow and focus on building muscle memory.Habit will take care of the malfunction in a safe and quick manner in the heat.
Brian Purkiss is a Christian, husband, competitive shooter, firearms instructor, and web developer.He enjoys most other forms of shooting competition as well as USPSA and Run & Gun.
Competition shooting technique, dry fire, firearm drills, handgun shooting techniques, and self defense techniques are included in this category.