Guns That Fail Only When You Need Them Most

You can practice until your hands are sore, but some firearms have a way of letting you down at the worst possible moment. Whether it’s feeding issues, mechanical quirks, or sensitivity to ammunition, these guns are notorious for failing when stakes are high. In hunting, defensive, or competitive scenarios, reliability isn’t optional—it’s everything. These are the firearms that frustrate even seasoned shooters because they seem fine in the range or on paper, but falter when pressure, weather, or stress hits. Understanding which guns are prone to misfires, jams, or other failures can save you from regret when performance matters most.

Taurus Judge

The Taurus Judge is a novelty that combines revolver mechanics with shotgun shells, but it struggles in real-world applications. Chambering .410 shots or .45 Colt can be unreliable, and recoil is punishing.

Even experienced shooters find that cylinder alignment and extraction inconsistencies can ruin follow-up shots. While it looks intimidating, the gun’s tendency to misfire or bind under stress makes it unsuitable for critical situations. What works in casual range sessions often falls apart when you actually need quick, reliable performance, turning confidence into frustration.

Kel-Tec KSG

The Kel-Tec KSG is innovative on paper, but its dual-tube magazine and complex pump system create reliability headaches. Shells can hang or fail to feed, especially under stress or dirty conditions.

Experienced hands often wrestle with extraction issues, and the aggressive learning curve can compromise performance. While compact and flashy, the KSG is prone to jams at critical moments. In situations where you need fast follow-up shots, the gun’s quirks can turn a lifesaving tool into a liability.

Ruger LCR

The Ruger LCR is light and concealable, but its small size and tight tolerances sometimes lead to misfires or failures with certain ammunition. The revolver’s light trigger and compact frame also amplify recoil.

Even skilled shooters notice that follow-up shots require extra effort, and the gun can become finicky when used in cold or wet conditions. While it functions on the range, the LCR’s inconsistencies show up when speed and reliability are crucial. It’s a revolver that demands respect, not blind trust, in high-stakes situations.

Mossberg 500 (Budget Lines)

The budget Mossberg 500 shotguns perform well under casual use, but the cheapest models can be unforgiving when abused. Springs, followers, and extractors may fail or misalign under stress.

Experienced shooters often encounter feeding and ejection inconsistencies, particularly with low-powered loads. During hunting or defensive scenarios, these failures can leave you powerless at the exact moment you need performance. The 500 works, but in critical situations, the margin for error is too thin, and misfeeds can become dangerous frustrations.

Remington 870 Express (Budget Models)

Remington 870 Express rifles are sturdy, but the lowest-end models sometimes suffer from rough action, poor fitting parts, and inconsistent feeding.

Experienced hands notice jams or stovepipes during rapid fire or with specific ammunition. These glitches often appear only in real-world pressure situations, like hunting under stress or rapid defensive practice. Out of the box, they look fine, but the rifle occasionally fails when reliability is most critical, undermining confidence in the platform.

Smith & Wesson M&P Shield

The M&P Shield is popular for concealed carry, but small magazines, tight chambers, and short grips can lead to stoppages. Misfires may occur if ammunition isn’t carefully chosen.

Even skilled shooters find follow-up shots slower or awkward, particularly when drawing quickly or under stress. While reliable in casual range work, the Shield can falter in real defensive moments. Its compactness comes at the cost of predictability, making critical performance inconsistent.

Glock 36

The Glock 36 is a subcompact .45 ACP designed for concealment, but limited magazine capacity and stiff recoil can interfere with reliability. The pistol occasionally fails to feed certain hollow-point rounds.

Experienced shooters notice that rapid-fire control and extraction aren’t always intuitive. A pistol that seems solid in controlled conditions may jam when you need every shot to count. The combination of compact size and high-power round sometimes exposes the limits of tolerance, leaving you frustrated when stakes are highest.

FN SCAR 16S

The FN SCAR 16S is praised for modularity, but in adverse conditions, it can be picky with ammunition and prone to extraction issues if not maintained perfectly.

Experienced operators can run drills flawlessly only to encounter malfunctions under dust, moisture, or fatigue. In field situations or defensive scenarios, the rifle can fail when split-second reliability is required. Its precision and features don’t compensate for occasional feeding or cycling failures, which appear at the worst possible moment.

Beretta 1301 Tactical

The Beretta 1301 Tactical shotgun is fast and ergonomic, but gas system sensitivity can lead to failures with light or specialty loads. Even experienced shooters may find it hesitates when firing sequences matter most.

Feeding, ejection, and recoil management can become unpredictable in stress scenarios. While excellent in theory and on paper, the 1301 occasionally betrays confidence when every shot counts, leaving shooters wishing for a simpler, more dependable platform.

Kel-Tec Sub 2000

The Kel-Tec Sub 2000 carbine is compact and appealing, but its folding mechanism and magazine alignment quirks can cause stoppages. Stress and rapid fire exacerbate these flaws.

Experienced shooters often experience misfeeds or delays when seconds matter. The Sub 2000 may work perfectly at the range, but in high-pressure hunting or defensive moments, it can fail without warning. Its clever design comes at the cost of critical reliability.

Smith & Wesson 686

The S&W 686 is durable, but older or poorly maintained units can experience cylinder binding or trigger creep.

Experienced shooters notice jams only in rapid fire or under environmental stress. While excellent in controlled conditions, the 686’s occasional quirks can appear exactly when reliability matters most, turning confidence into frustration.

Remington 700 (Budget Lines)

Budget Remington 700 rifles occasionally suffer from poor bedding and inconsistent barrel tolerances. Even skilled shooters notice point-of-impact shifts with different ammunition.

Under field stress, these rifles can fail to perform predictably. While they look dependable on paper, their sensitivity to minor variables means the rifle may not hit the mark when the moment demands accuracy, eroding trust in the platform.

Ruger LCR

The LCR revolver is light and concealable, but tight tolerances and limited grip area can produce misfires or difficult follow-up shots under stress.

Experienced shooters may find the gun punishes recoil more than expected, causing control issues in high-pressure situations. Reliability is fine in casual practice, but when stakes are high, the LCR can fail just enough to create serious frustration.