When dealing with a malfunction, what is essential to do with the non-firing hand during a stovepipe?

In the context of addressing a stovepipe malfunction, positioning the non-firing hand in front of the stovepipe is crucial. This action serves a dual purpose: it helps to properly clear the malfunction while also ensuring the user's safety. When a stovepipe occurs, one or more cartridges fail to fully eject, causing a casing to be lodged vertically in the ejection port. By placing the non-firing hand in front of the stovepipe, you prevent further ammo from failing to eject and also create an opportunity to manipulate the weapon effectively to resolve the issue.

Keeping the non-firing hand steady against the frame or moving it behind the weapon would not facilitate the necessary clearance process and could potentially lead to further complications or unsafe handling of the firearm. Likewise, securing the slide in place would be counterproductive since the slide needs to move freely to clear the obstruction.