Air Drive International Strike Command has briefly paused all Sig Sauer M18 Modular Handgun Methods (MHS) operations after a younger feminine Airman died after being shot by an alleged firearm malfunction.
The Sig Sauer M18 relies on the favored Sig Sauer P320. The fireplace management unit (FCU) is the serialized half, which permits for the straightforward swapping of pistol chassis. The modularity of the firearm was a promoting level when competing in opposition to the Glock 19x to develop into the substitute for the Beretta M9 because the navy’s standard-issue sidearm. This gun wasn’t Sig’s first foray right into a modular pistol. The P250 was launched in 2009 as a hammer-fired modular firearm. The P320, which was launched in 2014, shares many design components with the P250, however makes use of a striker as a substitute of a hammer.
In keeping with the US Air Drive (USAF), a service member serving at F.E. Warren Air Drive Base in Wyoming eliminated her M18 that was secured in a Safariland holster by detaching from her belt through the use of Safariland’s Fast Launch System (QLS). The QLS makes use of a fork system to safe the holster to a backing that’s hooked up to the person’s belt. The younger Airman positioned the firearm, nonetheless in its holster, on a desk. Whereas on the desk, the gun allegedly fired a spherical by itself, hitting the Airman within the chest, killing her.
The US Air Drive and Military are investigating the incident. The Military is taking part within the investigation as a result of the Military manages the M18 program. Till the investigation is full and the trigger is confirmed, the Air Drive will take away the pistols from service. The order solely impacts US personnel however is prone to increase to Air Drive service members in Europe. Air Drive personnel can be carrying M4s in the meanwhile.
“Air Drive International Strike Command has paused use of the M18 Modular Handgun System, efficient July 21, 2025, till additional discover,” mentioned Air Drive Strike Command spokesman to AmmoLand Information and different retailers. “This determination was made following a tragic incident at F.E. Warren AFB, WY, on July 20, 2025, which resulted within the dying of a Safety Forces Airman.”
In a social media publish, Sig Sauer said that it’s cooperating with the investigation. The corporate mentioned it proactively reached out to the Military and Air Drive to help with the investigation. The publish expressed confidence within the navy’s investigation and prolonged its sympathies to the service members and households affected by the tragedy.
pic.twitter.com/Yo5GN0AnKb
— SIG SAUER (@sigsauerinc) July 23, 2025
Sig Sauer has confronted a number of lawsuits over the P320 handgun. The corporate misplaced two circumstances in court docket final yr. Within the first case, a Georgia man was awarded $2.35 million in damages after he alleged his P320 fired by itself and hit him. A jury awarded a Philadelphia man $11 million in damages 4 months later. Twelve different lawsuits have been filed in opposition to Sig Sauer, however all these fits have been dismissed. The plaintiffs in these circumstances declare that the gun can hearth with out the set off being pulled. Sig Sauer disputes these allegations.
In Could, the corporate posted on X (previously Twitter), “The P320, it ends immediately.” The corporate claimed that the P320 is not going to hearth except the set off is pulled. The corporate blamed anti-gun teams, trial attorneys, and the mainstream media for the tales in regards to the gun firing with out human intervention. The navy investigation into the incident may make clear whether or not there’s a drawback with the gun.
AmmoLand Information reached out to Sig Sauer for remark, however our request was not returned on the time of publishing.
About John Crump
Mr. Crump is an NRA teacher and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed folks from all walks of life, and on the Structure. John lives in Northern Virginia together with his spouse and sons, comply with him on X at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.
