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Freestate Training Academy
Freestate-Training-Academy.com is built for shooters who want more than surface-level opinions. With 400+ in-depth reviews, breakdowns, and instructional posts, our content is created and vetted by FreeState instructors and experienced professionals who live this craft every day. Whether you’re new to firearms or a seasoned shooter looking to refine your skills, this library is designed to help you make smarter decisions, train more effectively, and stay informed.
When Ammunition Goes Wrong: The Many Ways It Can Be Loaded Incorrectly
Even when ammunition itself is manufactured correctly, improper loading into a magazine or firearm can cause malfunctions, damage equipment, or create unsafe conditions. Many of these errors are common—especially among new shooters—but they are entirely preventable with proper technique and awareness. Understanding these mistakes helps improve reliability, safety, and shooting performance . 1. Backwards Ammunition in the Magazine What happens: A cartridge is inserted bullet
Clearing an Over the Bolt Malfunction on the AR-15
An Over-the-Bolt (OTB) malfunction occurs when a live cartridge slips loose from the magazine and wedges above the bolt carrier , usually against the upper receiver or charging handle area. Because the round is trapped on top of the bolt , the action cannot cycle normally. This is a severe stoppage and cannot be cleared with tap–rack alone. How to Identify an Over-the-Bolt Malfunction Common indicators include: Charging handle will not move (or moves only slightly) Bolt wi
Fixing a Failure to Extract: Troubleshooting Tips for Your AR-15
A failure to extract (FTE) on an AR-15 occurs when a fired cartridge case remains stuck in the chamber after firing. Unlike a failure to eject (where the case leaves the chamber but doesn’t exit the rifle), an extraction failure means the extractor never successfully pulls the case free . This is a serious stoppage that usually requires remedial action , not just a quick tap–rack. How to Identify a Failure to Extract on an AR-15 Common indicators include: The bolt is parti
Troubleshooting Tips: How to Clear a Failure to Eject on Your AR-15
A failure to eject (FTE) on an AR-15 occurs when a fired cartridge case is extracted from the chamber but not fully expelled from the rifle . The case may become trapped in the ejection port, leading to a stoppage that prevents the rifle from firing again. This is a common malfunction and is usually quick to diagnose and correct. What a Failure to Eject Looks Like on an AR-15 Common symptoms include: A spent casing stuck sideways or vertically in the ejection port The bolt
How to Troubleshoot a Failure to Extract on Your Semi-Automatic Pistol
A failure to extract (FTE-x) occurs when a fired cartridge case remains stuck in the chamber after the pistol is fired. Unlike a failure to eject (where the case leaves the chamber but doesn’t exit the gun), an extraction failure means the case never comes out of the chamber at all . This type of malfunction can completely stop the pistol and often requires deliberate remedial action . How to Identify a Failure to Extract Common signs include: The slide is partially or full
Troubleshooting a Jammed Semi-Automatic Pistol: Tips for Clearing a Failure to Eject
Clearing a Failure to Eject (FTE) A failure to eject (FTE) occurs when a fired cartridge case is not fully expelled from the pistol during the cycle of operation. This type of malfunction is common, usually easy to fix, and often caused by ammunition, grip, or maintenance issues. What a Failure to Eject Looks Like Common FTE symptoms include: A spent casing stuck vertically or diagonally in the ejection port (“stovepipe”) A casing partially extracted but trapped by the sli
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