Which statement about a hang fire is true?

Which statement about a hang fire is true?

• A. A hang fire is when the primer fails to ignite the powder.
• B. The powder ignites immediately.
• C. The gun jams after the shot.
• D. The bullet misses the target.

Answer: (A)

A hang fire is a delay between the primer firing and the powder charge igniting. After the primer fires, there can be a brief pause before the powder catches fire, which makes the shooter feel a sudden delay before a report. This is different from a misfire, where the primer fails to ignite at all. The best safety approach is to keep the muzzle pointed downrange and wait at least 30 seconds before opening the action and carefully unloading. If nothing ignites after that waiting period, treat it as a misfire and follow safe unloading procedures. The other statements describe immediate ignition, a jam, or a missed target, none of which define a hang fire.

A hang fire is a delay between the primer firing and the powder charge igniting. After the primer fires, there can be a brief pause before the powder catches fire, which makes the shooter feel a sudden delay before a report. This is different from a misfire, where the primer fails to ignite at all. The best safety approach is to keep the muzzle pointed downrange and wait at least 30 seconds before opening the action and carefully unloading. If nothing ignites after that waiting period, treat it as a misfire and follow safe unloading procedures. The other statements describe immediate ignition, a jam, or a missed target, none of which define a hang fire.