Revolvers are one of the most popular weapons in production today. When operating a weapon, it’s crucial to avoid jams in the system. If you own a revolver, you might wonder – can revolvers jam? Is it possible for your weapon to become stuck and not work?
Although revolvers will jam far less often than a semi-auto handgun, they most commonly jam because of a bent ejector rod, bent moon clip, bullet creep, or manufacturing errors. These will cause an issue in the system and make it impossible to shoot the weapon.
If you’re interested in learning more about if revolvers can jam, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about what will make a revolver jam, whether or not your weapon will misfire, and how reliable this weapon is in reality. The more you know, the easier it will be to use a revolver.
What Causes A Revolver To Jam?
It’s rare for a revolver to jam. Still, that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Several troubles could appear when firing this weapon that would cause it to become stuck.
There are four causes of a jammed revolver:
- Uses an improper shooting technique
- Loads the revolver incorrectly
- Bullet creep
- Bent ejector rod
- Bent moon clip
These will prevent proper shooting with your revolver.
Here’s a video explaining how a revolver can jam, with a lot more info below:
I use either Brownells, Palmetto State Armory, or Optics Planet to buy parts, that way I always know what I’m getting and that it will actually show up.
Let’s talk more about each of these causes. The better you understand what can happen to a revolver, the easier it will be to address the jam if it appears in your system.
Manufacturing Errors
Sometimes, it’s no one’s fault but the people who created the revolver. If there is a manufacturing error, it might jam randomly, even if the owner takes proper care of the gun. It’s tricky to avoid faults if it’s built incorrectly at the start. There might be critical components absent that are necessary to fire the revolver.
Revolvers are not foolproof, but if you think you did everything right, take your weapon to a professional for analysis. They will determine if any missing components could warrant a refund or free exchange from the revolver manufacturer.
Bullet Creep
Bullet creep is rare, but it can cause a revolver to jam. In recoil, the non-firing ammunition can shift out of its shell casing. When they do, they can run into the forcing and cause the system to come to a grinding halt.
Bullets that haven’t been crimped properly are a common cause of bullet creep, as are high-velocity rounds with a revolver meant to take light loads.
Examine your ammo and gun type beforehand to prevent this error. If you notice any trouble, fix it before attempting to fire your gun. The right ammunition makes a vast difference in the revolver’s lifespan.
Bent Ejector Rod
The ejector rod is a critical component in a revolver, pushing the cartridge case out of the weapon. It sits in the middle of the cylinder, using a spring to apply force to the bullets. If the ejector rod bends, it could prevent the closing of the cylinder.
Usually, the ejector rod bends when people close the cylinder without care. It’s critical to take your machine to a professional to replace or repair the component. Without an ejector rod, the revolver cannot shoot.
Bent Moon Clip
A bent moon clip is another trouble that can jam your revolver. This item is created from thin spring steel, thin enough to permit the rounds into the clips. Unfortunately, the thin nature of the sheets makes it possible for the smallest error to push the bent moon clip out of shape.
When the bent moon clip is bent, it will jam the revolver. The metal could also make it impossible to open the cylinder to remove the product. A professional should be able to address the error and remove the metal.
Can A Revolver Misfire?
A revolver can misfire like any other weapon. Usually, it is due to a mechanical error or an issue with the ammo inside the gun. When a gun misfires, address the trouble to get your weapon back in working order. The longer you leave it alone, the harder it will struggle to work again.
It’s critical to get maintenance for your revolver regularly. If you don’t, the system can get out of alignment. The better you care for your revolver, the less likely it is to misfire. Provide routine checks for your gun and examine critical components for the best results.
How Reliable Is A Revolver?
Revolvers are one of the simplest forms of weapon. Thanks to their simplicity, this weapon is more reliable than most of the more advanced guns on the market. They are less likely to jam and more likely to stay in ideal condition for a long time.
Much of a revolver’s reliability is based on situations. Here are a few instances of its reliability:
- It will fire multiple times in a short period
- It doesn’t need tons of range testing
- There is less money involved with troubleshooting and repair
A revolver tends to be more reliable than other weapons.
Although a semi-automatic weapon is also reliable, there’s something special about a revolver. It is versatile and allows the shooter to focus on what they are doing.
I use either Brownells, Palmetto State Armory, or Optics Planet to buy parts, that way I always know what I’m getting and that it will actually show up.
Final Thoughts
Although a revolver is a reliable weapon, there are rare moments when it can jam. This trouble can occur due to an improper shooting technique, incorrect loading, bullet creep, or a bent ejector rod. Unfortunately, these troubles will take a while to repair in a revolver system. Luckily, they don’t occur often.
We hope this information was helpful! The more you know about your revolver, the easier it will be to transition when something goes wrong. Although it’s rare for this weapon to jam, when it does, it may stop your shooting right in its tracks. Address the jam as soon as possible for the best results.