What should a shooter do if they experience a misfire?

When a shooter experiences a misfire, the recommended action is to wait for a set time before safely inspecting the weapon. This is crucial because a misfire can occur due to a variety of reasons, including a failure of the primer or an issue with the ammunition. Allowing time to pass—typically about 30 seconds—gives any potentially hung or delayed ignition round a chance to fire before the shooter attempts to handle or inspect the weapon. This precaution helps prevent any potential injury from an unexpected discharge.

After the wait time, it is safe to inspect the weapon. Proper inspection ensures that the shooter can identify any issues without risking personal safety or that of those around them. It's essential to follow standard safety protocols during this process to maintain a culture of safe firearm handling.

Other options may pose risks or fail to address the proper safety measures. Attempting to fire again immediately can lead to dangerous situations if the round fires unexpectedly. Seeking assistance is sometimes appropriate but does not directly address the immediate steps the shooter should take. Unloading the weapon and calling for maintenance could be seen as precautions but may not follow the proper immediate response protocol for a misfire incident.