What occurs during a 'failure to extract' situation?

In a 'failure to extract' situation, the critical issue is that the casing remains in the chamber after a round has been fired. This malfunction occurs when the firearm's extractor, which is the component designed to pull the spent casing from the chamber after firing, fails to do its job effectively. As a result, while a round may fire successfully, the empty casing does not leave the chamber, causing a blockage that can prevent subsequent rounds from being chambered and fired.

Understanding this malfunction is essential for proper firearm handling and troubleshooting. Addressing a failure to extract typically involves clearing the chamber and removing the stuck casing, allowing the operator to resume normal operations. This situation is distinct from a failure where the bullet does not fire at all, where the problem lies in the ignition or loading process instead of the extraction stage.