Talyn
SAINT
Use of the Sig Sauer M18 pistol was paused after the death of an Airman at F.E. Warren Air Force Base.
Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) has returned the M18 Modular Handgun System pistols back into service. AFGSC “has completed a comprehensive inspection of its 7,970 M18 Modular Handgun Systems, following a directed pause on July 21, 2025,” AFGSC said in a release. “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.”
Though the gun has been returned to service, the command did find some problems related to wear and tear in a small percentage of the pistols inspected.
“The inspection process identified discrepancies with 191 weapons across the command’s M18 inventory,” the command explained. “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.”
As a result of the death at F.E. Warren and resulting inspections of the M18s, AFGSC is “implementing enhanced inspection procedures for the M18 pistol,” the statement continued. “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.”
The M18 “is specifically designed and rigorously tested to meet stringent environmental, endurance, and drop tests unique to the military,” AFGSC stated. A “review of weapon discharges in AFGSC showed that none were attributed to weapons malfunction.”
“No discharges we are aware of occurred without a trigger being pulled,” an AFGSC spokesperson told us, adding that the inspection did not look into whether any were accidental discharges. Separate investigations are launched for those instances.
www.twz.com
Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) has returned the M18 Modular Handgun System pistols back into service. AFGSC “has completed a comprehensive inspection of its 7,970 M18 Modular Handgun Systems, following a directed pause on July 21, 2025,” AFGSC said in a release. “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.”
Though the gun has been returned to service, the command did find some problems related to wear and tear in a small percentage of the pistols inspected.
“The inspection process identified discrepancies with 191 weapons across the command’s M18 inventory,” the command explained. “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.”
As a result of the death at F.E. Warren and resulting inspections of the M18s, AFGSC is “implementing enhanced inspection procedures for the M18 pistol,” the statement continued. “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.”
The M18 “is specifically designed and rigorously tested to meet stringent environmental, endurance, and drop tests unique to the military,” AFGSC stated. A “review of weapon discharges in AFGSC showed that none were attributed to weapons malfunction.”
“No discharges we are aware of occurred without a trigger being pulled,” an AFGSC spokesperson told us, adding that the inspection did not look into whether any were accidental discharges. Separate investigations are launched for those instances.
Sig M18 Pistol Returned To Service By Air Force Global Strike Command
Use of the Sig Sauer M18 pistol was paused after the death of an Airman at F.E. Warren Air Force Base.
www.twz.com
