Posted on by Posted in Magazines, Maintenance, Malfunctions, Reliability 7 Comments

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Why do handguns jam and malfunction?  In this episode I’ll answer that and give you some personal experiences to go with it.  Often times it’s not the gun’s fault.  Sometimes it is.  I’ll explain both and discuss what’s related to ammunition, what’s related to gun parts and what’s the manufactureres fault.

Highlights:

  • The importance of good magazines.
  • The importance of cleaning.
  • Dirty chambers.
  • Stovepiping.
  • Inspecting the feed lips of your magazines.
  • Failure to go into battery.
  • Recoil springs.
  • How to clear a jam.

Thanks for listening to the show.

Bob Mayne

Handgun World Show

Handgun competitor, Firearms instructor, concealed carry license holder, gun rights advocate.

7 thoughts on “Episode 40 – Why handguns jam and malfunction.”

  1. Great episode on malfunctions. I agree with magazines being the number one case of problems. From not being seated to weak springs. On occasion someone (even so called ‘gun guys’) will ask why I carry an extra mag…do I plan on needing that much ammo. Of course I ask why they carry a spare tire in their car…are they planning on having a flat. Then when I explain about mag problems they usually see the light.

  2. I’ve recently started carrying an extra mag. Other listeners have convinced me (read comments on previous episodes) and of course the research in doing this podcast influenced me. Thanks for your comment and for listening!

  4. Bob. In one of your video episodes you used skateboard tape under a slip on grip. That was a great idea. I put a Hogue on my M&P 9mm and was having slippage problems. I tried golf grip tape but it wouldn’t stick well to the polymer or to the grip. Skateboard tape applied and problem solved. Thanks.

  5. Hey Bob. Good topic choice (#49). It seems the first thing people want to do to a new gun is start modifying it. I must confess when I returned to shooting and started building my collection, my first inclination was to start modifying the parts you discussed. However, after much researching and thought, I came to the conclusion that with the exception of some trigger mods, the others should be left to competition guns. Manufacturers such as Glock and Smith and Wesson have been at this game for years and have put a good deal of their resources towards R&D. I figure the resulting designs provide the optimum in ergonomics, functionality and reliability or they wouldn’t be designed that way. Interestingly though, Glock did increase the size of the mag release on the Gen 4’s. Who says Glock doesn’t listen to their customers?

    I was also glad to hear you endorse gripreductions.com as I was considering trying a reduction on my G23. I had stumbled upon their web site and was impressed with the prices and what I saw but wasn’t sure how good they really were. If you say their good then that’s good enough for me.

  7. I’ve recently started carrying an extra mag. Other listeners have convinced me (read comments on previous episodes) and of course the research in doing this podcast influenced me. Thanks for your comment and for listening!

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