Problems From a Dirty Gun Magazine

A gun magazine is a metal or plastic clip that holds multiple rounds of ammunition for a semi-automatic or fully automatic loading weapon. Dirt, dust, gravel and carbon buildup all need to be cleaned from the magazine regularly to keep the gun firing properly and to prevent problems from occurring.

  1. Failure to Feed

    • According to experts at Top Glock, one of the main problems caused by a dirty gun magazine is a failure to feed. North Carolina Sportsman states that a failure to feed results in a bullet becoming stuck partially out of the chamber. The slide, which moves the bullet from the magazine into firing position, also becomes stuck open when this occurs. Dirt and carbon buildup along the slide or other parts of the magazine drag on the bullet as it moves, preventing it from reaching the chamber of the gun.

    Slide Won't Lock Open

    • According to Cybershooters, the slide of a gun works to move a bullet from the gun's magazine into the chamber for each shot. The slide should lock open after the last shot if a magazine is fired in order for the magazine to be ejected. If the magazine is excessively dirty or otherwise damaged, it can jam the springs and levers that hold the spring in the open position.

    Jammed Ammunition

    • Experts at Sports1234 say that a magazine full of debris malfunctions in surprising ways, and may allow the shooter to partially load a second bullet into a chamber with a live round already in it. This is known as a jam. Jams are mainly caused by interference with the proper working of the spring that pushes bullets up from the magazine. This interference can be caused by dirt. Experts at the Cylinder Slide note that some gun owners apply too much oil to their magazines, which picks up extra dirt and carbon buildup during the shooting process.