The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command has suspended the use of the M18 pistol following a fatal incident involving a Security Forces airman at a base in Wyoming. The decision comes after multiple safety allegations and lawsuits against the handgun model.
The tragic event occurred at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne over the weekend. In response, Security Forces combat arms airmen across all bases under the command will perform comprehensive inspections on all M18 pistols to ensure safety.
While the name of the deceased airman and specific details remain undisclosed, the 90th Security Forces Squadron at the 90th Missile Wing confirmed the isolated nature of the incident, reassuring no immediate threats to the base or local community.
The M18 pistol, manufactured by Sig Sauer based in New Hampshire, has faced legal challenges alleging that its counterpart, the P320 pistol, could discharge unintentionally without trigger activation. Sig Sauer refutes these claims, attributing alleged incidents to user error and asserting the safety of the P320 design.
Sig Sauer highlights that the U.S. military has adopted the P320 as M17 and M18 variants, with the latter now being the standard sidearm for all U.S. military branches. Despite the pause in use by the Global Strike Command, other Air Force units and armed services have not issued similar directives concerning the M18.
The investigation into the incident remains under the supervision of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, in collaboration with relevant security agencies. Sig Sauer has offered its cooperation and expertise during the review process.
