What does a hangfire indicate?

A hangfire indicates a temporary failure of a primer to ignite the powder charge. This situation arises when there is a delay between pulling the trigger and the ignition of the cartridge. It is critical for shooters and law enforcement officers to recognize a hangfire, as it can lead to a delayed discharge that may occur several seconds after the trigger is pulled. This could create a potentially dangerous situation if the shooter assumes that the weapon has malfunctioned and proceeds to open or clear the chamber immediately.

In contrast, the other options describe different situations that do not align with the definition of a hangfire. A complete failure of the primer would mean that there is no ignition, making it distinct from a hangfire, which involves a delay in ignition. A cartridge that produces no reaction when fired pertains to a misfire, where the cartridge fails to discharge entirely. An overload of powder in the cartridge is indicative of a different kind of issue related to ammunition performance, leading typically to excessive pressure or other malfunctions, rather than a delay in ignition. Thus, the correct identification of a hangfire as a temporary failure to ignite the powder charge highlights the crucial understanding needed in firearms training and safety.