Hang fire

The energy released by this detonation is intended to ignite the propellant charge of gunpowder or smokeless powder.

[3] A shooter may interpret the initial click of the hammer fall as an unloaded firearm or a misfire.

A hang fire delay of a fraction of a second may be fast enough to correct that misinterpretation before the shooter takes inappropriate action to reload; but a longer delay may allow the shooter time to move the firearm so the muzzle points in a different (and possibly unsafe) direction, or to open the action so the cartridge is no longer confined.

Unexpected discharge as the action is being opened will allow a portion of the propellant energy to burst the cartridge case and possibly damage the firearm with a risk of injury to the shooter and nearby persons.

[4] The correct procedure is to keep the firearm pointed at a safe target for thirty seconds, then remove the round.