Which of the following actions should you take when a hang fire or misfire occurs?

When dealing with a hang fire or misfire, the recommended action is to immediately eject the cartridge or shell. This is crucial because a hang fire is a delay between the trigger pull and the cartridge firing, while a misfire indicates that the cartridge did not fire at all. Ejecting the cartridge quickly minimizes the risk of an unexpected discharge.

If a hang fire occurs, there might still be potential for the cartridge to ignite after the initial attempt, which could lead to injury if the firearm is not handled properly. By ejecting it, you remove the possibility of it firing unexpectedly.

Handling a hang fire or misfire inappropriately, such as firing again to ensure ignition or checking the barrel without first clearing the misfired cartridge, can result in dangerous situations. Reloading too soon can lead to additional complications, like stacking more cartridges in a firearm that has already malfunctioned.