What happens when the gun does not fire?
A · Advanced · Penalties, safety and equipment · 5 of 6A malfunction is a gun failing to fire when the trigger is pulled. If the cause lies in the gun or the ammunition it is allowable, and the athlete may repair the gun or carry on with another of the same type. In 10 m and 50 m qualification no extra time is given either way.
How it works
- Allowable: a cartridge fails to fire, a bullet or pellet is lodged in the barrel, or the gun fails to work although the trigger mechanism was released.
- Non-allowable: the athlete opened the action, left the safety on, did not load properly or did not pull the trigger. So is any cause the athlete could reasonably have corrected, and a flat battery in an electronic trigger.
- Repair or replace: the athlete may repair the gun and continue. After an allowable malfunction they may continue with another gun of the same type and calibre.
- Time: "No extra competition time is allowed" in 10 m, 50 m and 300 m elimination or qualification rounds. The jury may allow extra sighting shots after an allowable malfunction.
- In a 10 m or 50 m final: one allowable malfunction for each finalist, with at most one minute to repair or replace the gun. A single shot is then repeated. A series is completed in the time that was left plus the repair time.
- Records: every malfunction is written up by the range officers.
Tricky cases
The athlete forgot to release the safety. Is that an allowable malfunction?
No. It is on the non-allowable list.
The battery of an electronic trigger runs flat. Is that allowable?
No. Battery failure is named as non-allowable.
Does the athlete get time back for a cartridge that fails to fire in a 50 m match?
No. The malfunction is allowable, so the gun may be repaired or replaced. No extra competition time is given.
Can the athlete finish the match with a borrowed rifle?
It depends on the malfunction. After an allowable one the athlete may continue with another rifle of the same type and calibre that meets the rules, if the jury approves. The replacement may be tested.
Why the rule exists
The line between the two kinds is who was at fault. A dud cartridge is bad luck, and the athlete is allowed to make good the shot. A safety catch left on is the athlete's own error. Giving no extra time in the long events keeps a relay to its timetable and puts the care of the rifle on the athlete.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ISSF rules | As above | ISSF 6.13 |
| 10 m and 50 m finals | One allowable malfunction and one minute | ISSF 6.17.1.6 |
| Mixed team final | One allowable malfunction for the team | ISSF 6.18.1.8 |
From the rule book
ISSF Official Statutes, Rules and Regulations, Edition 2025 (second print 07/2026), General Technical Rules 6.13, 6.17.1.6 and 6.18.1.8, with Rifle Rule 7.4.1.2. Effective 1 July 2026. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: ISSF Rule Book (PDF).