What's the Difference Between Stoppages, Jams, and Malfunctions?

[Talyn]

Sometimes, when talking firearms and related subjects, definitions of conditions or actions can get a bit confusing.

An Official Journal Of The NRA | What's the Difference Between Stoppages, Jams, and Malfunctions?

You were part of a discussion regarding what to do when your everyday-carry pistol fails to operate as expected. Terms like jams, malfunctions and stoppages were used, but seemed to have different meanings—although the end result seemed to be the same.

www.shootingillustrated.com

 

[C. Sumpin]

Hmmmm..........aren't we supposed to keep count of number of rounds left for use?

Grip safety not activated? How does that happen if you have made the draw?

Good reminders though.

 

[TSiWRX]

Hmmmm..........aren't we supposed to keep count of number of rounds left for use?

It's sometimes hard/impossible, given the other cognitive demands that a dire scenario presents.

Grip safety not activated? How does that happen if you have made the draw?

Because not all draws are perfect (or even acceptable), particularly in the context of an entangled fight or in the case of an injured shooter. The truth is that simply less-than-optimal technique -which can simply be the consequence of time-pressure, but in-reality is literally "for whatever reason"- in accessing the pistol can cause problems in terms of deactivating the grip-safety.

 

[KASHIRA-3]

Your gun is either running or its not. I wouldnt get all into the weeds about what you want to call it or the differences between each assigned status. I think a person probably needs to accept that no matter how much they try to keep a running count... keeping count of rounds during a gunfight is probably NOT going to rise much above an "impression" and the associated guess-work that follows. Stress does plenty of funky things to the human mind and body, you will be lucky to remember your name much less a running round count. That is an exaggeration of course but not by much. Dealing with, managing and facing real danger is not the crap you see in the movies or tv.

If your gun stops, I hope you have a good idea how to discern the cause and are well versed and practiced in dealing with the particular issue ( no matter what it is).

I am not one of these guys who are going to turn round count into a pseudo science. When my gun stops, I will respond appropriately. Until its stops, I aint worried about it. Does that mean that I am oblivious to how many rounds I have or how many I may need to manage a problem? No, but I try to keep things within proper perspective. If someone wants to admin reload, tack reload or buttermilk biscuit reload, they can. I will clear a jam if and when it occurs and I will reload at slide lock.

 

[C. Sumpin]

"Stress does plenty of funky things to the human mind and body",

yes it does, Have had a couple of episodes of the world going into "slow motion" due to combat stress.

 

[Bassbob]

Your gun is either running or its not. I wouldnt get all into the weeds about what you want to call it or the differences between each assigned status. I think a person probably needs to accept that no matter how much they try to keep a running count... keeping count of rounds during a gunfight is probably NOT going to rise much above an "impression" and the associated guess-work that follows. Stress does plenty of funky things to the human mind and body, you will be lucky to remember your name much less a running round count. That is an exaggeration of course but not by much. Dealing with, managing and facing real danger is not the crap you see in the movies or tv.

If your gun stops, I hope you have a good idea how to discern the cause and are well versed and practiced in dealing with the particular issue ( no matter what it is).

I am not one of these guys who are going to turn round count into a pseudo science. When my gun stops, I will respond appropriately. Until its stops, I aint worried about it. Does that mean that I am oblivious to how many rounds I have or how many I may need to manage a problem? No, but I try to keep things within proper perspective. If someone wants to admin reload, tack reload or buttermilk biscuit reload, they can. I will clear a jam if and when it occurs and I will reload at slide lock.

I prefer buttermilk biscuit reloading. Mmmmm.

 

[KASHIRA-3]

I prefer buttermilk biscuit reloading. Mmmmm.

of course you do.. , its one level above pistachio reload.

 

[conax]

Stoppages and jams are malfunctions. The difference between a stoppage and a jam is how much time it takes to get it running again. A stoppage could just be the slide locked back when there were still cartridges in the magazine. Or a bad round, a dud. Either way cycling the action = back in business.
A jam means having to figure out the problem and clearing it, might take a minute or two. Or it might need tools and take 15 minutes to fix. A more serious event in any case.
But both types are malfunctions.