The Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) has reinstated the SIG SAUER M18 sidearm for duty use after a command-wide inspection of nearly 8,000 pistols.
The pause began in July following the tragic death of an airman at F.E. Warren AFB. Another airman was later charged with manslaughter in that case.
While a mechanical defect didn’t cause the incident, the Air Force temporarily suspended the M18 to conduct a full inspection out of “an abundance of caution.”
191 Pistols Flagged for Issues
AFGSC reviewed all 7,970 M18s in its inventory. Inspectors found 191 pistols with what they described as “discrepancies,” mostly related to component wear. The most common problems were with the safety lever, striker assembly, and sear. Those pistols were pulled from service for repair.
Importantly, the Air Force confirmed that no negligent discharges or safety incidents were linked to mechanical malfunctions of the M18.
Enhanced Inspections Moving Forward
To prevent future issues, the command is adding new inspection steps targeting the areas of concern. According to Lt. Col. George Hern, AFGSC’s chief of security forces, semi-annual and annual inspections will now place special emphasis on the striker, safety lever, and sear.
“Our Defenders need to trust their weapons,” said Gen. Thomas Bussiere, AFGSC commander. “This inspection confirms the M18s are safe and reliable, and ensures our Airmen have confidence in their sidearms.”
Back in Service
Airmen began re-arming with inspected M18s on August 25. Security Forces commanders and trainers have also been tasked with briefing troops on the inspection results, reinforcing safe-handling practices, and giving personnel a chance to raise concerns.
The SIG M18—essentially a compact version of the military’s standard-issue M17—was adopted under the Modular Handgun System program. It passed the Army’s rigorous testing protocols, including drop safety, environmental endurance, and long-term reliability standards.
For now, the M18 remains the Air Force’s standard sidearm, with added scrutiny on maintenance and inspections.
Our Thoughts
When news first broke of the fatal discharge at F.E. Warren AFB, the most alarming detail wasn’t just that an airman had been killed, but that the M18 allegedly went off while still holstered in a Safariland rig. If true, that would call into question not only the pistol, but also holster compatibility and overall weapons handling protocols inside the Air Force. That’s why AFGSC’s immediate pause made sense. A gun “going off on its own” is something no one in the firearms community takes lightly.
Fast forward a month, and the picture looks different. Investigators now say a mechanical defect did not cause the tragedy, but by another airman who’s since been charged with manslaughter. The inspection of nearly 8,000 M18s did uncover worn components in a small percentage of pistols, but nothing to suggest a systemic flaw or a weapon that fires itself from inside a holster.
So where does that leave us? AFGSC is reinstating the M18 with new inspection procedures in place. That’s the right move. But this whole episode is also a reminder that firearms policy decisions made in the immediate aftermath of tragedy often get amplified before all the facts are known. In this case, the M18 has once again proven itself to be a reliable sidearm — but the initial “mystery discharge” narrative spread quickly, even among seasoned shooters who should know better.
The bottom line: the M18 wasn’t the problem. Training, discipline, and leadership remain the deciding factors in how safe and effective our troops are with their issued sidearms.
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