Air Force Global Strike Command suspends use of M18 pistol after airman’s death

https://taskandpurpose.com/news/air-force-m18-pistol/?utm_term=Task%26Purpose_Today_07.24.25&utm_campaign=Task%20%26%20Purpose_TPToday_Actives_Dynamic&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email
ir Force Global Strike Command, which has purview over nuclear missiles and bombers that can carry nuclear weapons, has suspended using the M18 pistol until further notice following the death of an airman earlier this month when such a pistol discharged, said Charles Hoffman, a command spokesperson.

“Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety and security of our personnel, the pause will remain in place pending the completion of comprehensive investigations by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the AFGSC [Air Force Global Strike Command] Safety office,” Hoffman told Task & Purpose. “During this period, Security Forces Airmen will be equipped with the M4 rifle, ensuring no lapse in AFGSC’s security posture.”

This does not bode well at all.

The Sig 320 line either needs to be redesigned or go away completely.

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Sad for sure,my heart goes out to the Airman and his family. I just watched a Ben Stoeger vid about the whole thing before coming here. I don’t even own a Sig but for some reason I started watching Ben awhile back and kinda got caught up in his vids and info about the Sigs.
Looks like Sig certainly needs to address the elephant in the room at this point in time.

You couldn’t dream up a more terrifying problem for a firearm to have.

Award Sig with more contracts, I say!!

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I’ve definatly cringed a time or two when I hear the problems Sig has had.
I was a Beta tester for Sig’s 5.56 line of rifles years ago. I sent two back before giving up in disgust.
F’ Sig.

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Go back to 1911’s for GSC. There was a time when SAC Security Police guarding nukes were held to VERY high weapons standards… probably another of those things that went away with LeMay. (Who we only GOT the military AR because of, dude was a serious Gun Guy who in retirement worked with IIRC Randall on a line of 1911s.)

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Local police department just dropped SIG model in question due to their own documented holstered pistol discharge and with numerous other incidents occurring across nation within same profession.

Is there really not someone with high level knowledge, LAV and co, who can’t figure out WTF is wrong with that model? Sig seems incapable of owing up to it at this point. It seems safe to conclude we are passed user error to explain all the ADs at this point.

I think there has been if you look at the lawsuits. Especially the lawsuits where testimony was thrown out by Sig lawyers.

The conclusions were that at the least:
1-small parts quality was unacceptable
2-QC practices were unacceptable
3-Assembly practices could have pistols built incorrectly

There should be a congressional investigation done all the way down to the factory workers.

I guess that’s how they save $ over going with say Glock?

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Wow, that’s gonna make for some very bad optics for Sig, no matter what happens with the 320.

“Gun maker Sig Sauer is suing the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission for banning its P320 handgun”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCW2cGxNpNI

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It all came down to money. IIRC, they didn’t even perform the normal endurance trials after getting the bid from Sig. Troops have absolutely loved having rear sights go missing during training events and competitions, etc…(I’m being sarcastic, but you get the point)

I got one of their carbines out of the box set everything aside one at a time.
I noticed there was a three shot zero target, all in the black.

The barrel on that particular carbine was so misaligned with the upper and lower that it couldn’t zero. 10 yards, nothing on paper.

So if Sig isn’t full of sh*t where did that target come from?

It costs like $185 a pop for the DoD, IIRC. So, yeah. They are cutting every corner imaginable.

In my personal experience/opinion, the guns are garbage even without the UD problem. I was involved in fielding them with two units, and they were not confidence-inspiring.

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This should be a legit Defective Product class-action not subject to PLCAA, and Sig is on my Blacklist.

As for GSC, give 'em MEU-SOC 1911s and proper training. The guys guarding nukes and delivery systems NEED to be held to the highest standards and they need training and equipment to match.

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Fuck Sig… word on the streets if AF is starting to pull M9s out of war reserve.

I’m saddened to hear a Defender lost their life.
BUT, I’m happy that this will end up as a Congressional and maybe America will finally get some answers.
USVP/ ICE/ USMS have already pulled these pistols from their circuit, not to mention the local and state agencies that have as well.
Sig fucked up with the 320/ M17/ M18… they’ve never owned it and they won’t.

I hope the bounce back from DoD and LEAs is break the bank painful.
An Airman lost their life for no good reason other than using their QLS holster to take off their gun so they could be more comfortable in the Control Center (which is armored and bullet proof)…

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Fall out is happening. Will Sig sue FL now?

“Florida official urges law enforcement to suspend SIG Sauer P320 use”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qtO33MlT6I

I can remember when Sig Sauer was the pinnacle of combat handguns with the P226 and P220. In my younger years I lusted after the P220 but couldn’t afford it at the time. WTH happened 35 years later?

Their bottom line is profit. And that’s bad for QC.
From my limited perspective , the design is good if everything is in spec. They seem to have fallen down in QC and tolerance stacking. The design becomes a liability if they don’t make parts to support it. And that’s before joe blow decides to “enhance” it.
Even if they can’t change their focus from being the biggest/most to being the best, their reputation is tanked. Sadly it may become the corporate attitude of lawsuits are cheaper/more profitable than doing it right.
Thankfully I was already happy with what I had and avoided buying in.

I still want a 226. And a 220 in 10mm. But have been successful in reminding myself I’m keeping what I have, they work well.

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