***The most horrible thing is a "failure to stop,"***
Wrong. The most horrible thing is a "click" instead of a bang.
BOY do I hate when that happens.
This is why I am considering putting bayonets on all my handguns.
O.K.....on everything.
Depends on which side of the gun you are on. I remember maybe thirty years ago, a guy tried to execute a cop in Mobile, Alabama. He pulled the trigger six times on a .357 magnum and got no shots.
Somehow they got the guy into custody and checked the gun. All six primers were dented. Just not quite enough force to ignite them. I bet the cop considered himself a little lucky.