What is what to do when gun jams?

Here's some information about what to do when a gun jams:

Immediate Action (Tap, Rack, Bang or similar variations)

This is the first thing to try and addresses most common malfunctions. It's a quick, reflexive action:

Tap: Firmly tap the bottom of the magazine to ensure it is fully seated. This is to ensure the magazine is properly engaged.
Rack: Forcefully cycle the slide (or action) to eject the chambered round and load a fresh one. Use a firm grip and full motion.
Bang: Re-establish your grip, realign your sights, and attempt to fire.

If this doesn't work, proceed to remedial action.

Remedial Action

This is a more detailed troubleshooting process. This is for situations the immediate actions are not working.

Identify the Malfunction: Try to determine the type of jam. Common types include:
- Failure to Feed: A round fails to enter the chamber.
- Failure to Eject: The spent casing is not ejected from the firearm.
- Stovepipe: The spent casing is caught in the ejection port.
- Double Feed: Two rounds are trying to enter the chamber at the same time.
Clear the Malfunction: The specific clearing procedure depends on the type of malfunction. Some examples include:
- For a Failure to Feed: Lock the slide back, remove the magazine, cycle the action several times to clear any obstructions, insert a fresh magazine, and chamber a round.
- For a Failure to Eject or Stovepipe: Use the "Tap, Rack" method, ensuring a firm grip and full slide cycle.
- For a Double Feed: Remove the magazine. Cycle the slide several times, manually removing any loose rounds. Insert a fresh magazine and chamber a round.
Inspect Ammunition: After clearing the malfunction, check the ammunition. Damaged or poorly manufactured rounds can cause jams. Discard any suspect ammunition.

Important Safety Considerations:

Muzzle Direction: ALWAYS keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction during any malfunction clearing procedure.
Finger Off the Trigger: Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target and you've made a conscious decision to shoot.
Eye Protection: Wear eye protection to protect against ejected casings or debris.
Hearing Protection: Wear hearing protection.
Unload First (if possible): If time and safety permit, unload the firearm before attempting to clear a complex malfunction.
Seek Professional Help: If you are unable to safely clear a malfunction, seek the assistance of a qualified gunsmith or firearms instructor.

Links for further study: