Muzzleloader shooting connects shooters with a historical method of marksmanship. However, the unique ignition system introduces a specific and dangerous malfunction known as a “hang fire.” A hang fire is a delayed discharge of the main powder charge after the trigger has been pulled. Understanding the proper, immediate response to this event is paramount for safety, as a hang fire can turn confusion into a serious accident.
Defining the Danger
A hang fire occurs when the firing mechanism ignites the primer, but a noticeable delay occurs before the main propellant charge ignites and the projectile leaves the barrel. This delay can range from a fraction of a second to several minutes, creating a highly unpredictable and hazardous situation. The danger is that the loaded firearm can discharge at any moment while the shooter attempts to diagnose the problem.
This malfunction is distinct from a “misfire,” where the primer fails to ignite the main charge at all. In a muzzleloader, a hang fire often begins with the sound of the cap or primer igniting, followed by silence before the main charge finally catches fire. Since it is impossible to immediately distinguish a long hang fire from a misfire, every failure to fire must be treated with caution, assuming a delayed ignition is imminent.
The Immediate Safety Protocol
The first reaction to a suspected hang fire is to maintain the firearm in the firing position and keep the muzzle pointed downrange toward a safe backstop. The shooter must resist the impulse to immediately lower the firearm or open the breech to inspect the charge. Moving the muzzle away from a safe direction risks pointing a potentially live firearm at an unintended target.
The shooter must keep their hands clear of the muzzle and the breech area, maintaining a firm grip while keeping it aimed safely. Do not attempt to open the action, remove the cap, or look down the barrel during this initial phase. The internal ignition process may still be slowly burning toward the main powder charge, and any movement could inadvertently cause the delayed discharge.
The Critical Waiting Period and Clearing the Bore
After the initial failure to fire, a waiting period must be observed to allow any potential hang fire to complete its ignition safely downrange. The recommended minimum waiting time is 60 seconds, though some experts advise waiting up to two minutes to account for slow-burning powder contamination. This period ensures that if the powder charge is smoldering, it has sufficient time to fully ignite and expel the projectile.
Once the waiting period has elapsed and the firearm has not discharged, the situation is classified as a misfire, and the process of clearing the bore can begin. First, safely remove the ignition source, such as the percussion cap or 209 primer, to prevent accidental ignition during unloading. The firearm must still be treated as loaded and pointed in a safe direction throughout the clearing procedure.
The next step involves safely removing the projectile and powder charge from the barrel. For modern inline muzzleloaders, this is often done by removing the breech plug and using a specialized CO2 discharger to push the projectile out from the breech end. For traditional sidelock firearms, a ball puller or worm screws into the soft lead projectile and is used with the ramrod to extract the bullet and powder charge from the muzzle. If the projectile cannot be removed, the firearm should be taken to a qualified gunsmith for safe unloading.
Causes and Prevention
Hang fires are caused by a compromised ignition path, which slows the transfer of flame from the primer to the main powder charge. The most common cause is moisture contamination, where humidity or water has dampened the powder charge or the priming compound, causing it to burn slowly like a fuse instead of igniting instantly. Another frequent cause is fouling or obstruction in the flash hole or touch hole, the small channel connecting the ignition source to the powder.
Prevention centers on maintaining a clean, dry ignition system and using fresh propellant. Shooters should regularly clean the flash hole or remove and clean the breech plug to ensure the flame channel is clear of residue. Storing powder in airtight containers and using fresh powder is important, as black powder and its substitutes are highly susceptible to moisture absorption. Firing a few percussion caps or primers on an empty, clean barrel before loading can help clear any residual oil or moisture from the flash channel, promoting reliable ignition.