Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) Practice Exam

A hangfire is characterized by a delay between the trigger being pulled and the cartridge actually firing. This phenomenon can occur due to a variety of reasons, including a slow burning propellant or a faulty primer. It is essential for firearm users to be aware of hangfires because they can pose a safety risk. If someone experiences a hangfire, they should keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction and wait for a short period before attempting to open the action, as the cartridge may still fire unexpectedly.

The other choices do not accurately describe a hangfire. A cartridge that has already fired indicates that the round has been discharged, which is not a hangfire since a hangfire means the round has not yet fired. A type of safety feature does not align with the definition of hangfire, as a hangfire is an undesirable situation rather than a built-in safety mechanism. Lastly, while older firearms may experience malfunctions more often, a hangfire can happen in any firearm, regardless of its age, making that option misleading.