As you probably remember, the Air Force Global Strike Command paused use of SIG M18 pistols after an incident that resulted in the death of an airman. After further investigation, another airman was arrested and charged with manslaughter in the case. Now, after a comprehensive inspection program that found “discrepancies” with 191 of almost 8,000 pistols. the AFGSC has announced that it’s reinstating the M18 with “enhanced inspection procedures” going forward.
Here’s the AFGSC’s statement . . .
Air Force Global Strike Command has completed a comprehensive inspection of its 7,970 M18 Modular Handgun Systems, following a directed pause on July 21, 2025.
The pause was initiated out of an abundance of caution following a tragic incident at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, and reflects AFGSC’s unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of its Airmen.
“It is paramount that our Airmen trust their weapon systems,” said Gen. Thomas Bussiere, AFGSC commander. “This thorough inspection ensures the M18s in our inventory are in optimal working order, providing our Defenders with safe, reliable, and effective systems to accomplish their mission.”
The inspection process identified discrepancies with 191 weapons across the command’s M18 inventory. The primary discrepancy was related to component wear. The most frequent issues centered on problems with the safety lever, striker assembly and sear. Weapons exhibiting these discrepancies were immediately tagged and are undergoing necessary repairs.
The intent of this command-wide inspection was two-fold: first, to confirm that all weapons in service are in proper working order; and second, to analyze the data regarding any reported discrepancies and usage rates.
A review of weapon discharges in AFGSC showed that none were attributed to weapons malfunction.
“When we see a potential issue, we have a responsibility to our Airmen and the American public to evaluate, find any discrepancies, and act on them,” Bussiere said.
As part of its commitment to safety, AFGSC is implementing enhanced inspection procedures for the M18 pistol. The command’s bases will include additional inspection criteria for the areas where potential issues were found during the M18 pause.
“By incorporating these added measures, we assess that any issues found with the safety lever, striker assembly and sear will be identified during semi-annual and annual inspections,” said Lt. Col. George Hern, AFGSC chief of security forces. “As we execute M18 inspections in the future, we will be taking a particular interest in these components to ensure these methods address the issues we found and make adjustments as needed.”
Air Force Global Strike Command Security Forces Defenders are resuming arming with M18s that have successfully passed inspection – deeming them safe and reliable for use – on Aug. 25, 2025.
Further, Security Forces squadron commanders, senior enlisted leaders and combat arms training and maintenance personnel are taking the time to meet with Airmen following this inspection. These leaders are discussing inspection findings, explaining the enhanced inspection procedures, reinforcing muzzle discipline, reviewing reporting procedures for weapons of concern, and providing Airmen the opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns.
The M18 is specifically designed and rigorously tested to meet stringent environmental, endurance, and drop tests unique to the military.
Now do a “comprehensive inspection” of Airmen to determine which ones are murderers and which ones are simply idiots. It’ll be hard to perform if I can’t trust the clown to my left, the psycho to my right or the doofus bringing up the rear.
Having been a former USAF Security Forces member, I know from experience, you’re not far off…
The B-26 Marauder medium bomber was nicknamed the “widow maker”. Because the aircraft had an unusual very high landing speed.
Those of us who have flown airplanes, understand having a high speed approach on landing is very dangerous. The B-26 manufacturer refused to address a growing concern, as the number of dead pilot bodies began to pile up.
Before he became president Harry Truman was the head of a commission. That was established to investigate the defense industry for corruption and poor practices. He told the aircraft builder that if they didn’t address the safety concerns the military had with the B-26. He would order the contract to be canceled.
The Army Air Corp already had the B-25 Mitchell Bomber. As well as the A-26 Havoc attack aircraft. So canceling the B-26 would not have hurt the nation’s defense ability.
Sig Saur is part of the military industrial complex. And they don’t want to lose that government contract.
And whoever the group was who approved the Sig gun, doesn’t want to lose their reputation within the government.
The wing sections on the B-26 wing sections were redesigned in order to reduce the landing speeds. The Martin aircraft company wanted to keep that government contract.
Unfortunately the gun maker Sig Saur
has not addressed the concerns about the safety of their firearm.
Could you enumerate what concerns you have about the safety of their firearms? Because despite piles of passively constructed stories that all end up being operator error, I have yet to see a competent explanation for a repeatable way of making the P320 discharge without touching the trigger.
There’s an issue with the Fire Control mechinism working its way loose from the frame as well as the trigger “stacking” while holstered over the course of the duty day. It’s not a mystery, Sig just refuses to admit they’re defective.
We advised the Veteran’s Affairs Police service of the issue as well, before they purchased 320s for thier entire police service but they ignored us and bought them anyway.
The Govt is full of ego mainiacs that refuse to ever admit being wrong so they get what they deserve.
The flexing of the frame vs. the slide vs. the fire control module can cause the striker to slip off the sear and fire a round. Loose tolerances of parts combined with the regular motion a holstered gun receives while being carried. The manual safety, if equipped, only blocks the trigger.
Two nuggets:
– “A review of weapon discharges in AFGSC showed that none were attributed to weapons malfunction.”
– “. . . reinforcing muzzle discipline . . .”
That lets SIG off the hook–this time, and explains a bit more what happened last month.