Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

What term describes the scenario where a firearm successfully fires but fails to eject the spent cartridge?

1. Double feed

2. Feed malfunction

3. Failure to eject

4. Stovepipe

The correct answer is: Failure to eject

The term that accurately describes the scenario where a firearm successfully fires but fails to eject the spent cartridge is "failure to eject." This malfunction occurs during the cycling process of the firearm where, after the firing pin strikes the primer and the cartridge is fired, the mechanism fails to properly remove the spent casing from the chamber. Understanding this specific malfunction helps in identifying the operational issues in firearms. In this case, the spent casing remains lodged in the chamber, preventing the next round from being loaded correctly. This is a distinct problem that can typically be addressed with malfunctions like clearing the weapon and ensuring the ejector is functioning properly. The other terms refer to different issues: a "double feed" involves two cartridges being fed into the chamber at the same time, which is a separate problem; "feed malfunction" is a more general term that could refer to multiple issues regarding the feeding of ammunition; and "stovepipe" specifically describes a situation where the spent casing gets stuck vertically in the ejection port, resembling a stovepipe. Each of these scenarios highlights different aspects of firearm functionality, but the failure to eject specifically pinpoints the issue described in this context.