Pistol Malfunction: Stuck Pistol Brass

Having a pistol brass stuck in the chamber area during a defensive encounter is a problem because the simple malfunction clearance of tap—rack—reload won’t clear it. Plus we need to be able to clear it without looking, since it may be dark or we’ll need to be looking for cover, or at the bad guy, or at our family members. The procedure for clearing the brass is to lock the slide open, then with the weak-hand fingers, feel for the pistol brass and get it off whatever it’s stuck on, insert another magazine, and rack.