VTAC “3 Little Kittens” Malfunction Drill
by admin on Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 | 25 Comments
Training to deal with malfunctions is an important component of any firearms training program. My approach to malfunctions training is to make it as simple as possible, understanding that when it comes time to actually clear a malfunction an operator is likely to be under stress and operating in less than ideal lighting situations. The “3 Little Kittens” drill is meant to reinforce some simple techniques for common malfunctions that, once mastered, should help folks stay focused on the fight rather than getting caught up with detailed analysis of their malfunction. To find out more, visit us at www.vikingtactics.com.
@trojanmike2008 Glad we can help.
Kyle
@VikingTactics I wanted to shoot you a quick message saying thanks for answering all the questions that people ask you. Alot of instructors mainly ignore their student body. It does not go unnoticed. Even if it’s only one normal joe say thanks, hope you know it’s appreciated. Take it easy.
@thehammerglock17 if you haven’t served in the military or law enforcement, you don’t qualify to have an opinion. Shut up, and let the professionals teach.
@thehammerglock17 enough of your diluted PC lawyer logic. its a god damn weapon. the guns creation was first intended as a weapon. to kill people.
He is professional!
if all else fails draw your sword
Thumbs up just for saying “finger bang the mag well” Ha Ha!!!
@opmike343: I teach that way b/c I want to use one technique for all. If you strip the mag, then attempt to lock the bolt to the rear it will have the same effect and is usually faster. With a Bolt Over Ride or Charging handle impingement the bolt won’t lock to the rear so it is much quicker to rip the mag, attempt to lock the bolt, slap the charging handle forward, point the muzzle down to allow gravity to pull the bolt override out and then cycle twice before loading again.
Kyle
Wouldn’t the extra pressure from the bolt essentially “wedge” the magazine in place due to the round only being partially stripped from the magazine?
I’ve always been taught to relieve the extra pressure the bolt is adding to the rounds that are already jammed up by locking the bolt to the rear.
However, in practice, it does seem that give the magazine a good SOLID tug will usually rip it free.
Great vids.
@jeff31b
My experience is that you are much quicker to pull the magazine out while your hand is there to get a hold of it. I switch hands to lock the bolt to the rear, therefore it is slower for me to switch, then switch back to pull the magazine out.
What is the malfunction that is fixed by locking the bolt to the rear first, then removing the magazine? Just trying to use economy of motion.
Kyle
Just wondering why on the double feed malfunction he didn’t lock the bolt then rip the mag out?
Asnmonkey6969,
Bolt over ride is when the bolt has overridden a spent or live cartridge and it is stuck between the back of the charging handle and the front of the bolt carrier. Charging handle impingement is when you have a similar circumstance but the cartridge is between the front of the bolt and the back of the charging handle.
We will have a good DVD of these procedures coming out soon. It will go more indepth than the You Tube Videos.
Kyle
What exactly is a bolt over-ride and charging handle impingement?
Amazing video as usual. I NEVER get tired of watching your videos and I always pick something up to share with co-workers and friends. Thanks for your time.
1341USMC
The same magazine was used because we supply the mess for the shooter. We make them fight through with what they have. We do teach to always put in a fresh magazine if possible. We also teach to set the magazine by your knee so after fixing the malfunction the shooter can quickly recover their magazine to be placed in a dump pouch or pocket.
Glad you like the videos.
Kyle
Great video. I was just wondering why that after the malfunction was cleared the same magazine was reinserted when the magazine is often the cause of the malf.
Was the same magazine used just for the purposes of this drill or for some other reson?
I can attest to this during the Viking Tactics Night Fighter Class last Nov (Great class).
During the support side-only exercise, I induced a stovepipe when I accidentally blocked the ejection port with my knee.
I applied immediate acton and induced an even worse malfunction. Remedial action requires time to execute and is specific. Immediate action addresses most of the malfunctions.
In the end I had to use my teeth and the a magazine to clear the rifle and continue with the fight.
I understand. That makes sense. Train for worse case scenario. Thanks for taking the time.
We try to keep things simple: immediate action and remedial action. If you have a stove pipe and you conduct immediate action, you will induce a worse malfunction, but how will you know that, at night, until you conduct immediate action?
Let me know your thoughts on this, I am always willing to learn.
Kyle
DMJERRY
One of the issues we run into is that you cant see what the issue is. We train for all malfunctions to be fixed at night – when you wont be able to see what the issue is. If you dont get a click, it could be that the round did not go all the way into battery, or that a round failed to feed properly, and may be fixed with a tap rack.
(continued…)
tap rack bang isnt going to make the problem any worse, you dont have to worry about that. what you do have to worry about is spending too much time out of the fight because your gun is jammed.
I don’t understand why you would immediately tap, rack, bang if you don’t feel that click. Wouldn’t it be better to once you pull that trigger and you feel nothing to check the chamber first and ID your problem that way your not facilitating the problem more by going into a tap, rack, bang?
HEY! At no point did you ever say whack the fwd assist several times THANK GOD!!!
A knife is a weapon, but also a tool. A rifle is a weapon and also a tool. Multi-purpose stuff rules!
The objective of VTAC’s training is to provide you with the knowledge and tactics to survive a gunfight….not a 3 gun match. You must put effective fire into a threat no matter the situation or the environment you are in. A DEAD threat gives you the best chance of surviving an engagement. Don’t get me wrong, I love to shoot both for recreation and when it will save your life, but in the mind of Kyle and his staff, the M4 is a weapon. Neutralize the threat. My two cents.