Which malfunction could arise from excessive headspace in a blowback firearm?

Excessive headspace in a blowback firearm can lead to a condition known as firing out of battery. This occurs when the chamber is too far forward for the cartridge to be securely locked in place at the moment of firing. In a blowback firearm, this means the bolt may not be fully seated or locked in position when the trigger is pulled. As a result, the firearm can discharge while the action is still in motion, which can be dangerous and result in catastrophic failure.

When excessive headspace is present, the bolt may not align properly with the chamber. This misalignment can prevent the firearm from fully cycling, contributing to a range of malfunctions. It is key to note that while firing out of battery is a direct consequence of excessive headspace, other malfunctions like failure to fire or failure to extract are more related to different issues, such as incorrect ammunition or extractor problems. Thus, the most significant concern directly linked to excessive headspace in this scenario is firing out of battery.