Many of our students have asked us to post the Non-Diagnostic Linear Malfunction Drill that we teach in our classes. This step-by-step process is performed whenever our semiautomatic pistol malfunctions. The reason we refer to it as “Non-Diagnostic” is because we are not stopping to examine the weapon to find out why it is not functioning. “Linear” is describing the sequential order of the action carried out. If the first step does not resolve the issue we move to the next step and so on. We teach and practice this drill until it becomes a natural response to a pistol malfunction so that we can quickly and efficiently get back into the fight.

The drill is as follows:

1. Tap / Rack Slide Aggressively
2. Press and Hold Mag. Release / Rack x 3 / Reload Fresh Mag.
3. Press / Rip Mag. Out / Rack x 3 / Reload
4. Lock The Slide / Press / Rip / Rack x 3 / Reload

You may be familiar with the shorter version shown in class:

1. Tap / Rack
2. Press / Rack x 3 / Reload
3. Press / Rip / Rack x 3 / Reload
4. Lock / Press / Rip / Rack x 3 / Reload