Out of all the possible firearm malfunctions, squib loads are some of the trickiest and most dangerous. They’re not always easy to catch in the moment, which is exactly why you need to stay 100% focused every time you pull the trigger.
A squib load happens when a round doesn’t have enough pressure to push the bullet out of the barrel. In simple terms, the bullet gets stuck inside your gun. Instead of the usual “bang,” you’ll hear a softer pop and feel much less recoil.
That’s your cue to stop shooting immediately.
As part of our firearm safety blog series, here we will explain what a squib load is, the warning signs to watch for, what causes it, and how to clear it safely, before any damage is done.
What is a Squib Load?
In short, a squib load is when a fired round doesn’t generate enough force to push the bullet out of the barrel. You pull the trigger, hear a weak pop sound, but the round stays lodged inside the bore.
A squib load might feel like a soft or incomplete shot. Well, that’s because it is. You’ll notice less recoil, barely any muzzle rise, and the gun just feels... off. That’s the moment to stop everything.
A squib round happens due to ammunition issues: The primer ignites, but there’s not enough gunpowder (or a bad mix of it) to send the bullet out.
The result? The bullet gets stuck, and the barrel is now obstructed.
It’s important to understand how a squib load is different from other ammunition malfunctions:
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Misfire: You pull the trigger, but nothing happens. The primer was struck, but the round didn’t ignite.
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Dud round: A dead round, so no ignition, no sound. It’s like the trigger pull never happened.
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Hangfire: There’s a delay in ignition. The round goes off, but a few seconds after the trigger pull. If that happens, always wait 5 to 10 seconds before opening the action.
The key difference with a squib round is that it did ignite, but just not enough to get the bullet out. And that’s what makes it so dangerous.
What can happen if you keep shooting after a squib? The next bullet can slam into the obstruction and blow out the barrel. That means serious damage to your gun, or worse, your hand or face.
So as you can see, a squib load is a serious ammunition malfunction. And knowing how to spot it could prevent a major injury.
Next up: what causes squib loads in the first place?
Causes of a Squib Load
A squib round means a powder problem. The two most common squib load causes are undercharged rounds and defective ammunition. Simple as that.
Let’s revisit what we mentioned in our Rimfire vs. Centerfire Ammo guide: every round is made up of four key parts — the case, the primer, the powder, and the bullet. When a squib load happens, it usually means something went wrong with the powder. Either there wasn’t enough of it, or the powder didn’t ignite correctly.
Squib loads are especially common with handloaded or reloaded ammo. If a round was assembled properly. Maybe it was not enough powder, maybe debris inside, maybe the primer wasn’t seated right; That’s a squib waiting to happen.
Reloading requires precision and expert hands. A small mistake, like a bad powder mix or a fouled case, can turn into a dangerous ammunition malfunction.
That said, even factory ammo isn’t totally off the hook. While most modern factory rounds are highly reliable, low-quality, cheap bulk ammo still exists.
So, an important recommendation here: buy from well known, reliable ammo brands.
Signs of a Squib Load
Instead of a loud “bang,” you hear a soft “pop.” That’s one of the clearest signs of a squib load. You’ll also notice very little recoil and possibly some smoke coming out of the ejection port.
A squib load sounds quieter and feels weaker than a proper shot.
Let’s say you’re out at the range, running drills with some buddies. You fire your pistol, and something feels off. It’s not loud, it kicks light, and the cycle feels sluggish. That’s when you stop shooting immediately.
Safety Risks and Why It’s Important to Address
Why are squib loads so dangerous? Because when a round is still stuck in the gun, firing again is the worst thing you can do. With the barrel obstructed, that next shot has nowhere to go.
And bad rounds are unpredictable. The pressure can literally tear your gun apart.
If you fire again after a squib load, your barrel could split, the slide could crack, and the ejection port might bloom into a metal flower you definitely didn’t ask for.
Even worse, you could seriously injure your face, hands, and eyes. So it’s about protecting your gun, yourself and everyone around you.
So what should you do? Unload. Inspect. And if the round’s still stuck in the bore, it’s time to clear that squib load.
Preventing and Handling Squib Loads
Here’s one smart piece of advice when it comes to squib loads: Always keep a cleaning rod or punch tool in your range kit. It could save your range day.
How to Clear a Squib Load: Step by Step
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Stop shooting immediately.
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Keep the muzzle pointed downrange. Wait a few seconds, just in case it’s a hangfire.
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Remove the magazine. Make sure the chamber is clear.
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Lock the slide back and visually inspect the barrel.
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Engage any firearm safeties.
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Use a cleaning rod or brass punch to push the stuck bullet out of the barrel, from chamber to muzzle.
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Inspect the barrel again. Make sure nothing else is stuck and that the barrel isn’t damaged.
That’s how you safely clear a squib load. Do it right, and you protect both your gun and your hands.
If you can’t get the stuck round out of the barrel, you will need to disassemble your firearm. We hope that’s not the case, but if so, you may find our pistol parts guide quite useful.
An extra tip to prevent squib loads: If you just cleared a squib round, hold on to the casing and bullet. It will help you figure out why it happened.
Was it a reload? If so, double-check your powder charges before loading more.
If it came from a factory box, consider contacting the manufacturer. While quality control issues are rare with well-known brands, they can still happen.
The key is to figure out what caused the squib load, so you can prevent the next one.
Keep Learning How To Handle Your Firearm
A squib load can happen to any shooter. That’s why it’s important to understand why they happen, and how to clear them.
Knowing how to spot and handle these types of ammo malfunctions can protect your gear, your hands, and everyone around you. It might even save your range day.
And that’s exactly what we aim to do here at 45 Blast: help shooters stay sharp, safe, and in control.
Want more tips, gear updates, and performance boosts? Follow us on Instagram for more content, and check out our online store for the best compensators and upgrades to level up your shooting experience.
With that said — debrief. See you at the range.
