What action should be taken if the M9 pistol does not fire on the first attempt?

When the M9 pistol does not fire on the first attempt, it is important to ensure that the decocking/safety lever is correctly positioned. If the lever is not in the fire position, the weapon will not fire even if the trigger is squeezed. By ensuring that the decocking/safety lever is in the fire position and then squeezing the trigger again, you are effectively allowing the weapon to function as intended. This step is crucial because it addresses a common issue that can prevent the pistol from firing without assuming that there is a malfunction with the weapon itself.

Checking the surrounding area for safety is always a consideration with firearms, but it should not be the immediate action taken in response to a failure to fire. Similarly, while removing the magazine and cleaning the chamber is important in a different context (such as maintenance or troubleshooting after multiple misfires), the first course of action when the weapon does not discharge should focus on verifying that all operational controls are set correctly. Calling for assistance may be necessary in certain situations, but it's not the first step to take immediately when addressing a failure to fire.