Malfunctions...how do you remediate???

[Goat Bandit]

This may be a dead thread but I had a recent experience that some may benefit from.

Gene wrote, "One of you all mentioned the 'double feed' situation that seemed to plague the M-4 carbine for quite a while. Not really a true 'double feed' but I know exactly what you are talking about. Expended cartridge jammed between the bolt and the receiver and one round kind of hung up whilst attempting to get into the chamber. Can't say I have ever seen this with the M-16A1 or A2 but I have seen it more times than I can count with the issued M-4."


Without going into much detail, I was involved in a situation on a two-way range where I burned through a magazine. I took a knee to reload and when I inserted the second mag and tried to palm the bolt release and nothing happened. I rolled the rifle over to observe the ejection port but since it was dark and my goggles weren't focused in that close I couldn't see. I felt with my weak hand that the bolt was stuck about halfway back. I dropped the mag and opened the door of the HMMWV so I could stand behind it. I tried to rack the bolt to the rear but it was stuck. I have one of those badger tactical latches on my charging handle and it felt like the harder I pulled back on it the more the entire charging handle would flex to the right. I tried to feel inside of the magazine well with my thumb but couldn't tell if there was more than one casing or round in there (gloves). I finally unclipped the rifle from the sling and grabbed the charging handle on both sides and banged the butt stock against the deck. This cleared the stoppage. I thumbed the top of the second magazine, inserted it and racked the bolt. I dropped the mag and thumbed the top of it again taking note that the round was on the other side now and reinserted it. I never fired it again, (I found my place on the radio) I realize now that I should have to make sure it worked. It was only about 20 seconds from the time the malfunction occurred to when it was cleared, but it seemed like it took forever. I can also see that with the adrenalin pumping it might be very easy to bend a charging handle on your M4. The range was beyond max effective for a transition to the pistol.

[Blitzzz (RIP)]

I agree with TS..."
Handgun malfunctions; leave gun pointing out toward tgt, arm at full extension, turn gun 180 degrees so that the slide is “upside down” rack the weapon, turn gun “upright” and continue to fire. Takes about half a second when practiced."
That's what I was taught and never Tap. Blitzzz