What procedure should be followed when experiencing a hang-fire?

When experiencing a hang-fire, the correct procedure is to wait for at least 30 seconds before clearing the weapon. A hang-fire is a situation where a cartridge fails to discharge immediately after the trigger is pulled but may fire after a delay. This delay creates a potentially dangerous situation where the shooter might think the weapon has malfunctioned and could attempt to clear it too quickly, leading to an accidental discharge.

Waiting for a period allows time for the round to either fire or to ensure that it is safe to clear the weapon without risk to the shooter or those nearby. This procedure is crucial for maintaining safety in handling firearms, as it minimizes the risk of injury from unintentional discharge. After the waiting period, if the round has not discharged, the shooter can then safely clear the weapon.

Other approaches like attempting to fire again immediately could lead to an unsafe situation, as one might inadvertently trigger the delayed discharge. Simply unloading the weapon without the waiting period does not account for the possibility of the hang-fire firing before it is properly cleared. While notifying a commanding officer is important in potential malfunctions, the immediate safety procedure must prioritize waiting to prevent accidental discharge.