The U.S. military has launched a sweeping investigation into the Sig Sauer M18 pistol after a security forces member was fatally shot at FE Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming—allegedly without the weapon’s trigger being pulled.
The M18, the military’s version of the Sig P320, has been the Air Force’s standard-issue sidearm since 2019. It is now under intense scrutiny following the Sunday incident, prompting the Air Force Global Strike Command to issue an immediate stand-down order. All units have been directed to suspend use of the M18 until a full safety inspection can be completed.
“We want to make sure there’s nothing wrong with the weapon,” an Air Force official told The Washington Post, though the exact circumstances of the shooting have not been disclosed.
Mounting Lawsuits and Growing Scrutiny
This is far from the first time the M18 and its civilian counterpart, the P320, have made headlines. The firearms have been the subject of dozens of lawsuits—at least 77 filed in New Hampshire alone—alleging that the weapons have discharged without any trigger pull, often resulting in serious injury or death.
Just weeks before the Air Force incident, the FBI’s Ballistic Research Facility released a report on the P320 series. The investigation was initiated after a Michigan State Police officer’s holstered weapon fired without warning. The report concluded that the officer did not touch the trigger, either intentionally or accidentally.
In the wake of the report, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a ban on the P320 series for its agents. The move echoes long-standing concerns raised by law enforcement and gun owners alike.
A joint investigation in 2023 by The Washington Post and gun violence monitoring group The Trace found over 100 reported cases of uncommanded discharges from P320s, many of them eerily similar: holstered guns firing while stationary or during routine handling.
Sig Sauer Denies Allegations, Points to Politics
Despite mounting legal challenges and government bans, Sig Sauer continues to stand firmly behind the integrity of its firearms.
“The P320 CANNOT, under any circumstances, discharge without a trigger pull—that is a fact,” the company stated in March, dismissing the lawsuits as part of an “anti-gun, anti-SIG agenda.” Sig Sauer further insists that no investigation has ever successfully replicated an uncommanded fire incident under controlled testing.
In the wake of the recent Air Force tragedy, the company expressed condolences to the families affected and stated it is cooperating with the military’s internal review.
“We have absolute confidence in the military’s ability to conduct a thorough investigation and are working with the Air Force and Army to answer any of their questions,” Sig Sauer said.
Temporary Replacement and Broader Military Response
As the investigation unfolds, military units under Global Strike Command have temporarily replaced the M18 with the M4 rifle, a decision reflecting the seriousness of the safety concerns. Meanwhile, the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps have also indicated they are reviewing the incident and monitoring any implications for their own use of the M18 platform.
The M18 was intended to be a modern, modular solution to replace the aging Beretta M9 after more than 30 years in service. However, if further evidence of unintended discharges emerges, its future as a standard-issue sidearm could be in jeopardy.
What Comes Next?
For gun enthusiasts, law enforcement, and military members, the outcome of this investigation could have sweeping implications. If the Sig Sauer M18 is found to have a mechanical flaw, it would mark one of the most high-profile firearm failures in recent military history. But if Sig Sauer is right, and these incidents stem from mishandling or misinformation, it could reinforce the company’s aggressive defense of its flagship handgun line.
For now, one thing is clear: a sidearm trusted by thousands of service members is under the microscope, and the outcome may reshape the conversation around military firearm safety for years to come.
