What is a hangfire?

A hangfire is defined as a delay in firing after the trigger has been pulled. This situation can occur when there is an issue with the ammunition or the firearm. In this scenario, the shooter experiences a pause between pulling the trigger and the actual discharge of the firearm, which can lead to dangerous situations if the shooter does not wait long enough before taking further action.

Understanding the concept of a hangfire is crucial for safety, as it teaches hunters and shooters to always remain cautious after pulling the trigger, particularly in those few seconds of uncertainty. Recognizing a hangfire prompts the shooter to keep the firearm pointed safely downrange and to wait for a sufficient amount of time before clearing the weapon, thus preventing potential accidents.

The other concepts listed, such as the final firing of a round, failure of primer to ignite, or unexpected recoil, relate to different issues within firearm operation or ammunition performance but do not accurately describe what a hangfire is.