Picture this: you’re out on a hunting trip, heart racing with anticipation as you spot your target in the distance. You raise your trusty shotgun, take aim, and pull the trigger – only to find that the spent shell casing hasn’t ejected from the gun. You frantically try to clear the malfunction, but it’s too late – your chance at the perfect shot has passed.
Shotguns that fail to eject are a frustrating and potentially hazardous issue that can occur when you’re out on a hunt or practicing at the range. It can ruin a good shot and even lead to injury if not addressed properly. That’s why it’s important for every shotgun owner to be aware of the potential causes of ejection failures and how to prevent and fix them.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top causes of shotgun ejection failures and provide tips for diagnosing and fixing the issue, so you can avoid any misfires and ensure a successful hunt or range session.
- Top 5 Causes of Shotgun Ejection Failures
- 1) Stovepiping Malfunction
- 2) Short-stroking Malfunction
- 3) Weak Ejection Malfunction
- 4) Firing Pin Malfunction
- 5) Extractor Malfunction
- Severity of Shotgun Ejection Failures
- Tips for Preventing Shotgun Ejection Failures
- Bottom Line: Shotgun Ejection Failures Are Fixable
Top 5 Causes of Shotgun Ejection Failures
Shotguns are useful tools that are popular for shooting sports and hunting. However, like any mechanical device, shotguns can experience malfunctions. One of the most common shotgun malfunctions is ejection failure, which can be caused by a variety of factors. These are the top 5 causes why shotgun shells won’t eject from shotguns.
1) Stovepiping Malfunction
Stovepiping occurs when a spent shell gets caught in the ejection port and fails to clear the shotgun. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including a dirty or damaged ejection port, weak ammunition, or improper shotgun technique.
Stovepiping can also occur more frequently on gas operated semi-automatic shotguns compared to pump-action shotguns. Gas operated shotguns that aren’t producing the needed pressure to cycle rounds will lead to stovepiping and other jamming issues.
Fix: Clean the ejection port or use higher quality ammunition.
2) Short-stroking Malfunction
Short-stroking occurs when the shooter fails to pull the shotgun’s slide or pump handle all the way back, causing the spent shell to not eject properly. This can happen when the shooter is not using proper technique, is fatigued, or if the shotgun is not properly lubricated.
The shotguns that produce the most short-stroking issues are 3 ½ inch pump 12 gauges. This is due to the increased distance the action has to work. Short-stroking is extremely common when trying to quickly cycle for follow up shots.
For example, duck hunting with a Browning BPS 3 ½ inch 12 gauge requires long strokes to cycle the action. Incomplete pumps of the shotgun will result in a short-stroke and many times the next round in the magazine will feed into the action, sitting below the spent shell. This double feed scenario is especially frustrating for bottom eject pump shotguns.
Fix: Adjust pumping technique, reduce speed of follow up shots, or add lubrication.
3) Weak Ejection Malfunction
Weak ejection occurs when the spent shell is ejected, but not with enough force to clear the ejection port. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including a dirty or worn extractor, a weak or broken ejector spring, or low-quality ammunition.
The first sign of weak ejectors is a decrease in distance that spent shells eject. Inspecting the ejecting spring and cleaning the extractor usually fixes this issue. However, some ammunition can also cause poor ejection due to out of spec design or incompatibility.
Fix: Clean the ejector spring and extractor, switch ammuntion.
4) Firing Pin Malfunction
A malfunctioning firing pin can also cause ejection failures in shotguns. This can happen when the firing pin is dirty, worn, or damaged, preventing it from striking the primer on the shotgun shell with enough force to ignite the gunpowder.
A weak firing pin can also be caused by a malfunctioning firing pin spring preventing enough force for primer ignition. The most common signs of a weak firing pin are incomplete strikes on the primer. Inspect the primer of the shell and if the indention from the primer strike is shallow, a weak firing pin could be the cause.
Fix: Replace the firing pin or firing pin spring.
5) Extractor Malfunction
The extractor is responsible for removing spent shells from the shotgun’s chamber. When the extractor is dirty, worn, or damaged, it can fail to properly remove spent shells from the chamber, causing ejection failures. This can happen more frequently in double-barrel shotguns compared to other types of shotguns.
Extractors grab the outer edge of the brass shell casing and lift the shell out of the shotgun. If the extractor loses it’s gripping ability, by shearing off its edge for example, the shell will not eject properly. Ammo casings that are worn or rounded more than spec can also cause some shotguns to slip when attempting to eject a shell.
Fix: Replace broken or worn extractor. Examine lip of ammo for adequate grip area.
Severity of Shotgun Ejection Failures
Ranking the malfunctions in severity from easiest to hardest to fix depends on a variety of factors, such as level of experience, the type of shotgun, and the specific cause of the malfunction. However, here is a general ranking based on the complexity of the repair:
- Stovepiping malfunction – this malfunction is often caused by a dirty or damaged ejection port or weak ammunition, which can be relatively easy to fix by cleaning the ejection port or using higher quality ammunition.
- Short-stroking malfunction – this malfunction is typically caused by improper shotgun technique or insufficient lubrication, which can be remedied by adjusting technique or adding lubrication.
- Weak ejection malfunction – this malfunction can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a dirty or worn extractor or a weak ejector spring, which may require some gunsmithing knowledge to repair.
- Firing pin malfunction – a malfunctioning firing pin can be caused by dirt, wear, or damage and may require some knowledge of gunsmithing to repair. Diagnosing firing pin problems may require disassembling the shotgun.
- Extractor malfunction – this malfunction can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a dirty or worn extractor, and may require disassembly of the shotgun and gunsmithing knowledge to repair. Diagnosing extractor problems may require disassembling the shotgun.
It is important to note that any shotgun malfunction can be dangerous if not addressed properly, so it is always recommended to seek the assistance of a qualified gunsmith if you are unsure about how to fix a malfunction or if you suspect there may be additional underlying issues with your shotgun.
Regular maintenance, proper shotgun technique, and high-quality ammunition can all help prevent ejection failures and keep your shotgun performing at its best.
Tips for Preventing Shotgun Ejection Failures
Time needed: 30 minutes
How to fix shotguns that fail to eject.
- Regular Shotgun Maintenance
Regular maintenance is crucial for preventing shotgun malfunctions, including ejection failures. After each use, make sure to clean your choke and shotgun thoroughly, paying extra attention to the ejection port, the extractor, and the firing pin. Use a soft cloth and gun cleaning solvent to remove any dirt, debris, or gun powder residue.
Also, check for any signs of wear or damage, such as rust or corrosion, and have any issues repaired by a qualified gunsmith. Shotguns subjected to harsh conditions, such as saltwater or dusty environments, should be cleaned after each use to prevent cycling issues. Water intrusion is one of the leading causes of stuck choke tubes. - Diagnose Ejection Failures Properly
If you experience ejection failures while using your shotgun, it’s important to diagnose the issue correctly before attempting to fix it. Ejection failures can be caused by a variety of factors, including stovepiping, short-stroking, weak ejection, firing pin malfunction, or extractor malfunction.
Each type of failure requires a different solution, so diagnosing the problem correctly is key to fixing it. Replacing parts and hoping they solve the problem can be a costly solution. Inspect your shotgun carefully, disassemble it if you have to, and really examine the inner workings of each key mechanism to identify the likely culprit causing ejection failures.
If you’re not handy with tools or disassembling your shotgun, take it to a gunsmith. The cost is usually less than $100 for a complete cleaning and diagnosing of repairs needed. - Learn to Fix Ejection Failures Yourself
Once you’ve diagnosed the cause of your ejection failure, you need to know how to fix it. For example, stovepiping can often be fixed by adjusting the angle of the ejection port or by using more powerful ammunition.
Short-stroking can be fixed by ensuring proper shotgun technique, and weak ejection can be fixed by cleaning the shotgun and replacing any worn or damaged parts. Firing pin and extractor malfunctions often require professional gunsmithing.
If you fail to diagnose any obvious problems with the shotgun that would prevent it from ejecting shells correctly, the ammo is likely to blame. Some ammo just doesn’t work well with certain shotguns, and switching to a similar load from another brand could be all that is required. - Stovepiping vs Weak Ejection
Two common types of ejection failures that we already discussed are stovepiping and weak ejection. Stovepiping occurs when the spent shell gets caught in the ejection port, while weak ejection occurs when the spent shell is ejected but not with enough force to clear the ejection port.
Knowing the difference between these two types of failures can help you diagnose and fix the problem more quickly. Stovepiping can almost always by corrected by changing ammo brands or doing a complete breakdown cleaning of the shotgun. Applying oil, grease, and lube to the appropriate parts is also highly recommended.
Weak ejection is often the sign of an ejector failure. Replacement ejectors can be found for most shotguns for under $50. You can try to switch to high power shells in a pinch, but it doesn’t always solve the problem, especially with O/U shotguns. - Fixing Ejection Failure While Hunting
Experiencing an ejection failure while hunting can be frustrating, but it’s important to stay calm and take the necessary steps to resolve the issue. First, make sure your shotgun is unloaded and safe. Then, diagnose the cause of the ejection failure and attempt to fix it using the tips outlined above. If you’re unable to fix the issue, you may need to seek the help of a qualified gunsmith.
Ejection failures are a common issue with shotguns, but they can be prevented with proper maintenance and troubleshooting. If you must perform troubleshooting in the field, always carry a shotgun maintenance kit with you in your blind bag. This can be something as simple as an oily rag in a Ziplock bag, a container of gun oil, a tool for ejecting the receiver pins to take the gun apart, and a flashlight to see inside.
A faulty ejector mechanism can slow down a hunt, making that semi-auto a single shot, but knowing what to look for can have it up and running if nothing is broken internally. Be prepared for minor problems to arise, especially with shotguns that have seen thousands of rounds or are put through harsh conditions.
SUMMARY
If you are not comfortable diagnosing the problem yourself, reach out to the nearest gunsmith for their advice. Faulty extractors are a common problem and gunsmiths usually have the parts in stock to fix them quickly.
Bottom Line: Shotgun Ejection Failures Are Fixable
A shotguns failure to eject is a common issue that can occur for a variety of reasons. While it can be frustrating and potentially hazardous, it’s important to remember that it’s not the end of the world. With the right knowledge and gunsmith tools, you can diagnose and fix the issue, and get back to enjoying your time on the range or in the field.
The most common reasons why shotguns fail to eject shells are stovepiping, short stroking, weak ejectors, broken extractors, and faulty firing pins. Examining each of these factors is the first step to diagnosing ejection issues. If none are found, the fix could be as simple as changing ammunition. Applying gun oil to the extractors and cleaning them regularly is the best preventative measure.
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Last update on 2025-09-29 / Affiliate links / Product Images from Amazon Product Advertising API