Delayed fire 20-30 seconds

I was shooting some old 38s from my security six a few years back and some of them didn't fire. like the op my dad taught me about hang fires.

In my case none of them went off. but i did keep the gun pointed down range for at least a minute being paranoid. i had five total do this. they all successfully fired the second go around.

It wasn't the firing pin (i thought this initially) because i haven't had an issue with any other ammo and this ammo was at least 25-30 years old or older.
 
This posting saved my sanity.

Someone was asking questions about a few 500 Magnum hangfires he receantly assembled and no one but me voiced any concearn. Go figure.
 
I've only had it happen with a bunch of 1942 British 303. It would hang for a second before firing, and a second is an eternity when you've pulled the trigger and don't get then expected results. I've shot some older stuff that worked fine, but probably poor storage and war time production didn't help. Hell, it was 65 years old at the time, can't expect too much. I've never had any hangfires with modern ammo, just a couple of backward/sideways primers.
 
Thanks for the thread. I've known for a long time what a 'hang-fire' was, but never thought about it with cartridge ammo. I'll keep it in mind.
 
Dad (and the NRA) taught us to wait at least 30 seconds. Obviously this would not apply to a defensive situation, or combat, but sport shooting, hunting, etc. its good advice.

Hang fires used to be more common than they are today, but they still happen. Today there is a much, much higher percentage of complete duds over hangfires, but it can still happen.

Most hangfires do go off within a few seconds, but some take much longer, and while a full minute is extrememly rare, its not totally unheard of.

I don't shoot competition, but isn't ammo malfunction (dud, hangfire, etc) the whole reason there were alibi rounds? Or do they even do that anymore?
 
My first and only hang fire was on my 1911 with Winchester white box as well. I had never been told about them, and didn't even think it was a possibility. However, while I was confused and wondering what was up, I looked at the gun (changed my focus from front sight to the weapon) I tilted up a little bit and BAM! I hit the ceiling of the range about 20 years out. Scared the crap out of me!

I figured it out later, but at the time had I been wise enough to count to 30 it would have been best. I chalk that up as a learning experience, and thankfully I didn't let my good overall habits go away (although I should have tiled down not up, which was stupid!).
 
Decide.

If the hangfire fires still in the weapon, it's just like shooting it normally. The bullet leaves the muzzle and no damage is done. Keep weapon in safe direction, of course.

If the hangfire is ejected from the weapon and it fires on the ground, there is little pressure build up and it makes a moderately loud 'bang'; disconcerting but not particularly dangerous to the shooter or anyone else.

With the round still in the chamber and the action open is the most dangerous situation; pressure is sufficient to cause damage to hands, eyes and surroundings.

As Jesus told Judas, "What thou doest, do quickly!"

Wait the thirty seconds or so (unless in immediate danger) and then briskly, even violently open the action and get the round out of the chamber.

Pay special attention to a hangfire in a revolver. One must be careful where fingers are placed to operate the ejector rod.
 
Reminds me of when I was a kid and we were lighting fire crackers off down by the river. Well one of them that we tossed did not go off at first, but what seemed like 2 minutes later the thing exploded. Definitely caught us by surprise.
 
There are some folks who fancy themselves in combat and insist on applying "immediate action" to any misfire. One such fellow wrecked a nice BAR (the light machinegun, $25k worth, not the sporting rifle) when he had a hang fire, and opened the breech too soon.

Jim
 
had another 1-2 second hangfire since I had posted this. I called Winchester to let them know that I have had a long hangfire. I have left 2 messages (they never answer after you talk to a receptionist) their voicemail prompt tells you to leave a message and someone will get back to you within 24 hours. 2 weeks later NOTHING! does anyone have a surefire phone number to contact them?
 
I learned long, long ago that, in the case of an FTF, you keep your firearm aimed at your target, and count to 30 before you open the action.

The longest actual hangfire I have ever experienced was about 4 seconds.
 
I had one, and only one, with some old Federal .357 ammo that I bought when a LGS was closing up. The box was very old looking, but the ammo itself looked ok, so I bit. I shot it in my S&W 28. I had almost finished the box, and I pulled the trigger, shooting DA, and "click". I sat there and counted to 30 and at about 25, BOOM. It still startled me, even though I was waiting for it. The case and primer looked fine. I'm kind of glad there was only one box left.
 
White box .45 acp here also

Just abut a year ago my son and I were shooting my 1911's. He was shooting and stopped and looked at me. I had no idea why he stopped shooting and was looking my way. A good 10 seconds later the gun fired. He still had it pointed down range and was no danger to anyone. He had his finger outside the trigger gaurd. Glad he has learned a little of what I have beeen preaching for years. The first hangfire I have seen in 45 years of shooting.
It was a 100 round box of Winchester's.
 
The previous two posts show the importance of what I learned: Keep the gun firmly aimed at what you shooting and count to 30.

Hangfires can and DO happen.
 
i had a hangfire of appr half a second with 4350 in a .243 and switched to magnum primers. never had any in any other weapon.
 
I've never had this happen to me personally, but this is something they used to drum into me when I was in the Marines. Unless you're in an active, combat situation, always give hang fires enough time to ignite before ejecting the round. This was especially prudent with pistol cartridges for some reason.
 
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