Which firearm malfunction is most related to faulty ammunition?

The scenario described in the question points to a misfire as the malfunction most closely associated with faulty ammunition. A misfire occurs when a round fails to ignite after the firing pin strikes the primer. This issue is primarily linked to problems with the ammunition itself, such as improper primer installation, corrosion, or defects in the powder charge.

When evaluating potential firearm malfunctions, it's crucial to understand that while other issues like double feeds, stovepipes, and failures to eject can certainly arise during the operation of a firearm, they are typically related to feed or extraction issues within the firearm mechanics, rather than ammunition failure. In a double feed, for instance, the mechanism is unable to feed a round into the chamber because another round is already present, often due to magazine or extractor problems rather than the ammunition. Similarly, stovepipes and failure to eject situations often stem from mechanical failures in cycling the spent cartridge rather than a defect in the ammunition itself.

Thus, the misfire stands out as the most direct and unequivocal link to faulty ammunition, emphasizing the importance of ammunition quality in the reliability of firearm performance.