What should you do if a firearm misfires?

In the event of a misfire, it's crucial to maintain safety for yourself and those around you. Keeping the firearm pointed in a safe direction for at least 30 seconds is the recommended course of action. This allows time for any potential delayed ignition of the cartridge, which can occur if there is a hangfire—a situation where the primer ignites but the round doesn’t fire immediately. By maintaining a safe direction, you minimize the risk of injury from an accidental discharge.

After waiting, the next step would typically involve safely unloading the firearm according to proper procedure, but that should only be done after ensuring that the situation is secure. Prioritizing safety in handling a misfire is vital in preventing accidents or unintentional harm.