There is good news for embattled Sig Sauer as the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) reinstated the SIG M18 handgun for use last week.
The military branch inspected all 7,970 of the sidearms in service after a tragic fatality in July. A shot fired with an M18 killed an airman at F.E. Warren AFB.
This incident was not caused by a mechanical issue with the M18, and another airman was charged. Still, USAF officials determined that there was enough concern to pull all of its M18s out of service for thorough inspection.
Plaintiffs charge the P320 is prone to unintended discharge, a claim denied by the company
Multiple lawsuits against the respected weapons manufacturer allege that the civilian version of the M18, the P320, is prone to unintentional discharge. Plaintiffs claim that it can fire without the trigger being pulled, though the gunmaker vehemently denies the charge.
Inspectors found that of the nearly 8,000 pistols examined, 191 needed some type of maintenance-related repairs. Most experienced wear on the safety lever, striker assembly, or sear.
The M18 is a standard sidearm in the U.S. military, and other branches of service continued to use the weapons while the USAF safety inspection was carried out.
The M18 is back in daily use by AFGSC personnel
The end of the month-long pause means the pistols are back in service at nuclear weapons sites, according to the Louisiana-based command.
Going forward, authorities instituted enhanced inspection procedures for the M18 to ensure the safety of service personnel. In a news release, the AFGSC confirmed its findings and revealed that no weapon discharges were attributable to firearm malfunctions.
Gen. Thomas Bussiere of the AFGSC said in the release that the well-being of all service personnel is crucial. “It is paramount that our Airmen trust their weapon systems.”
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