What problem does a "stovepipe" indicate?

A "stovepipe" malfunction indicates that the casing failed to eject properly. This issue occurs when a fired cartridge case becomes lodged in a vertical position in the ejection port of the pistol, resembling the shape of a stovepipe. This problem is often the result of insufficient energy from the recoil spring, an obstruction in the ejection path, or the cartridge case being caught by the slide before it has a chance to fully eject.

In this scenario, the casing's failure to exit the firearm as designed means that the action cannot cycle correctly for the next round to be chambered, leading to a stoppage in the firing process. Understanding this helps in diagnosing issues during operation and applying appropriate remedial actions such as clearing the malfunction and potentially examining other components for wear or improper function.