What occurs during a hangfire?

During a hangfire, there is a delay between the pulling of the trigger and the round firing. This can happen due to a variety of reasons, such as a malfunction in the primer that causes it to ignite later than expected. The event is particularly concerning because it can catch the shooter off guard; they may think the firearm has misfired when, in fact, there is an impending discharge. Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for maintaining safety during shooting activities, as a hangfire poses a risk if the shooter does not remain vigilant after pulling the trigger and instead assumes the weapon is safe after a delay. This knowledge helps in taking appropriate precautions, such as waiting a specified amount of time before clearing a firearm after a suspected hangfire.