Canadian Restricted and Non-Restricted Firearm Safety (CRFSC) Practice Exam 2025 - Free Firearm Safety Practice Questions and Study Guide

The term for a malfunction where there is a delay before the firearm fires after pulling the trigger is "hang fire." This specifically describes a situation in which the primer ignites, but there is a delay in the actual discharge of the cartridge. It is crucial to recognize that during a hang fire, the shooter should maintain safe practices, as the round may discharge unexpectedly.

Misfires occur when the firearm fails to fire completely, despite pulling the trigger; this is different from hang fire as it does not involve a delay after the trigger pull. Stoppages refer to a broader category of malfunctions that hinder the operation of the firearm, such as failures to extract or eject, which is not specific to the delay in firing after the trigger is pulled. The term "delay fire" is not commonly used in firearms terminology, making hang fire the accurate and accepted term for this type of malfunction. Understanding these terms and their nuances is important for proper firearm safety and handling.