How (and Why) You Should Function Check Your Handgun

No one wants to have trouble with their semi-auto handgun. Performing a function check or test is a quick, easy way to make sure everything's working like it's supposed to. Whether you’ve just cleaned your gun, added new parts, or reassembled it, doing a function check can help avoid problems later. It only takes a few minutes and can give you peace of mind knowing your gun is ready when you need it.

Here’s a simple guide on how and when to do a function check so you can keep your handgun in good shape.

What is a Function Check?

A function check is a quick, hands-on way to make sure your handgun operates properly. It involves inspecting key components, like the trigger, slide, and safety, to see if everything is in proper working order. After you clean or reassemble your gun, or add new parts, things might not fit just right. A quick check can catch those issues before they cause trouble, like misfires or jams. Plus, doing them regularly will make sure your firearm is ready when you need it.

Function checks should never involve live ammunition - they are supposed to be dry runs to confirm that all mechanical parts are functioning smoothly.

Why Function Checks Are Important

Performing regular function checks is crucial for firearm safety. If your gun isn’t working properly, it could malfunction when you need it most. For example, a faulty trigger or slide could result in failure to fire or even dangerous malfunctions. Additionally, a function check ensures that new parts, like sights or grips, don't interfere with the gun's ability to fire properly. By doing a quick function check after each cleaning or modification, you can catch problems early and avoid accidents at the range or in self-defense situations.

When to Perform a Function Check

After cleaning or making any changes to your gun, running a function check makes sure everything is reassembled correctly and ready to fire when needed. It’s helpful to know when a function check is needed because it keeps your handgun working safely and avoids surprises. Here’s a basic guide to follow:

• After cleaning your handgun: Anytime you take apart and clean your firearm, you should run a function check to test that all parts are reassembled properly.
• After reassembly: Whether you’ve disassembled the gun for cleaning or maintenance, always do a function check before using the firearm.
• After installing new parts or accessories: If you've added a new component, like a trigger, magazine release, or recoil spring, a function check makes sure those changes haven’t affected your handgun’s operation.
• Before every range session: Even if your gun hasn’t been disassembled, it’s a good habit to check functionality before every range session. That may seem like overkill, but parts can loosen up over time, so it’s good to check everything before you start shooting.

Basic Steps of a Function Check

Doing a function check is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. After triple checking to make sure your gun and mags are unloaded and there’s no ammo in the room you are working in, do the following checks:

Check the trigger - Point the gun in a safe direction, rack the slide, and pull the trigger. The trigger should engage smoothly. After the trigger has been pulled, rack the slide again to make sure it resets properly.

Test the slide lock - The slide should lock into place smoothly and firmly, indicating the locking mechanism is functioning as intended.

If you have one, check the safety mechanism - Engage the safety and try to pull the trigger. The safety should prevent the trigger from moving. Disengage the safety and check to see if the trigger functions normally.

Inspect your sights - If you have iron sights, they can come loose over time, which can throw off your accuracy and ruin a range session. Visually inspect them to make sure you don’t have any gaps on one side or the other. Feel free to give them a light tug to make sure they’re securely mounted.

Inspect your optic - if you’re running an optic, check your screws to make sure the optic is still mounted correctly, then visually inspect everything to make sure it’s free of any dirt or debris on the lens.

If you have snap caps, grab a few and load them into one of your magazines. Insert the mag into the gun, rack the slide, pull the trigger, then rack the slide again to make sure the snap cap ejects properly and the slide returns to its normal position. This simple test helps confirm everything is working properly without needing live ammo.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If your handgun doesn’t pass the function check, You’ll need to diagnose and fix the issue before taking it to the range. Some common issues include:

Trigger not resetting properly - this could indicate a problem with the trigger assembly or spring.

Slide not locking back - check for any dirt, debris, or misalignment in the slide lock mechanism.

Safety not engaging - if the safety doesn’t work properly, it may need adjustment or replacement.

Never use a firearm that fails any part of the function check

If you still have issues after performing these tests, it’s time to take your gun to a gunsmith for a closer look. They should be able to identify any problems, fix them, and then make sure everything is working properly.