Setting the Standard for Women in Firearms | Training. Insights. Intelligence.
All Articles & Videos

Understanding and Practicing Malfunctions with Purpose: Virtual GNO

Every shooter begins with the same goal: make the gun fire accurately and consistently. We spend countless hours learning grip, stance, sight alignment, trigger control, and recoil management. Those are the skills that get us started. Eventually, however, every shooter reaches the same inevitable reality. Firearms are mechanical tools, and mechanical tools occasionally stop working as expected.

During this Virtual Girls’ Night Out presentation, Tatiana Whitlock, Director of Training for A Girl & A Gun, explored an often overlooked but critically important part of becoming a confident shooter: understanding malfunctions and practicing how to solve them with purpose.

Read More »
07/20/2026
3. Formidable Holster Skills: Green Track

When the Gun Stops

One of the greatest misconceptions in shooting is that confident shooters never encounter problems. They do. The difference is that they don’t interpret every unexpected event as a crisis. They understand that equipment, ammunition, weather, fatigue, distractions, and even human performance are all variables that can influence the outcome of a training session. Rather than fighting reality, they learn to work through it.

That mindset is one of the defining characteristics of a Green Track shooter. Success is no longer measured by whether everything goes according to plan. It is measured by the ability to remain thoughtful, observant, and disciplined when it doesn’t.

Read More »
07/19/2026
2. Mastering Fundamentals: Blue Track

Pistol Malfunctions: Recognize. Diagnose. Respond.

Learning to identify and safely clear common pistol malfunctions is an essential firearms skill that builds confidence, improves safety, and keeps shooters prepared when a handgun stops working. Rather than reacting immediately, shooters should first recognize the signs of a malfunction, diagnose the cause, and apply the correct response. This guide explains the differences between common pistol stoppages such as failure to fire, failure to feed, failure to eject (stovepipe), double feed, and the dangerous squib load, while emphasizing proper firearm safety procedures and when to seek assistance from a Range Safety Officer or qualified gunsmith. By following a consistent process of recognize, diagnose, and respond, shooters can safely troubleshoot handgun malfunctions, make better decisions under pressure, and develop reliable defensive shooting skills that apply across virtually any semi-automatic pistol.

Read More »
07/13/2026
All Articles & Videos

Understanding Squib Malfunctions

A squib malfunction, often referred to simply as a “squib,” occurs when a bullet fails to exit the barrel of a firearm due to insufficient propellant charge. Unlike the experience of taking a normal shot, a squib produces a much quieter report and negligible recoil. This malfunction is particularly dangerous because it can lead to a catastrophic failure if another round is fired without clearing the obstruction.

Read More »
07/22/2024
All Articles & Videos

DRILL OF THE MONTH – Hot Mess Malfunctions

Just like real-world self-defense situations, pistol malfunctions are inherently unpredictable. By regularly practicing malfunction drills, shooters can improve their performance, enhance their safety, and build the confidence to handle high-pressure situations. Preparing for malfunctions can make all the difference, whether on the competition stage or in a real-world encounter. 

Read More »
07/09/2024
All Articles & Videos

Understanding Double Feeds

A malfunction in a semi-automatic handgun can be any stoppage that interrupts the cycle of operation. Stoppages can be caused by operator error, the ammunition

Read More »
08/01/2022
All Articles & Videos

Clearing a Stoppage with Tap/Rack/Back

When a shooter, regardless of level of instruction, experiences a stoppage, you must go through our standard correction steps. They are simple and effective, and above all, the safest and fastest way to put the gun back in battery. Just as you know your firearm safety laws, you should know your rapid clearing steps and use them every time. The TAP-RACK-BACK drill, also known as the immediate action drill, is a simple process to effectively deal with a minor malfunction.

Read More »
08/30/2017

Articles & Videos

Categories

Search

Skillsets