In the immediate action sequence for the M4, what is the final action to attempt to fire again?

In the immediate action sequence for the M4, what is the final action to attempt to fire again?

• A. Squeeze the trigger
• B. Release the charging handle
• C. Lock the bolt to the rear
• D. Slap the magazine

Answer: (A)

When clearing a failure to fire on an M4, the immediate action sequence is Tap, Rack, Bang. After you tap the magazine to ensure it’s seated and then rack the charging handle to chamber a fresh round, you test the weapon by squeezing the trigger to attempt a fire again. Squeezing the trigger is the action that actually attempts to fire the newly chambered round. Releasing the charging handle isn’t the final step you take to try again; that action is part of the rack step to cycle the bolt. Locking the bolt to the rear isn’t part of this quick sequence for re-firing, and slapping the magazine isn’t the correct final action to re-test firing—although ensuring a properly seated magazine is a prior step in the sequence.

When clearing a failure to fire on an M4, the immediate action sequence is Tap, Rack, Bang. After you tap the magazine to ensure it’s seated and then rack the charging handle to chamber a fresh round, you test the weapon by squeezing the trigger to attempt a fire again. Squeezing the trigger is the action that actually attempts to fire the newly chambered round.

Releasing the charging handle isn’t the final step you take to try again; that action is part of the rack step to cycle the bolt. Locking the bolt to the rear isn’t part of this quick sequence for re-firing, and slapping the magazine isn’t the correct final action to re-test firing—although ensuring a properly seated magazine is a prior step in the sequence.