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Posted on 08/25/2025 1:22:18 PM PDT by Red Badger
The section of the U.S. Air Force that oversees the military branch’s bases is putting the Sig Sauer M18 handgun back in use, the USAF announced Sunday. It had paused the M18’s use for a month after the July shooting death of a Wyoming-based airman.
The section of the Air Force that oversees the military branch’s bases is un-grounding the Sig Sauer M18 handgun after pausing its use for a month over the July 20 shooting death of a Wyoming-based airman.
The Air Force Global Strike Command announced in a Sunday statement that it has completed a “comprehensive inspection” of its 7,970 M18 Modular Handgun systems after pausing their use July 21.
The pause was from “an abundance of caution following a tragic incident” in which an Air Force member serving at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne died.
Brayden Lovan, 21, was a defender assigned to the 90th Security Forces Squadron, 90th Security Forces Group, said the 90th Missile Wing last month. He died in a gunshot incident around 1:30 a.m. on July 20, the base confirmed four days after his death.
While the inspection of the Sig Sauer M18 pistol immediately followed Lovan’s death, the base announced about three weeks afterward that a person had been arrested in the shooting on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter and making false statements.
The arrestee is an airman, 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs Chief Glenn S. Robertson confirmed last week, adding on Monday that no charges had been filed.
“Regarding the incident from last month, that case is still under investigation, and as such, no charges have been preferred against the Airman at this time,” wrote Robertson in an email last week. He added Monday: "We cannot release the name unless and until charges are referred to court-martial by the convening authority."
As to the case itself, since the incident happened on base it falls under military jurisdiction.
“The Office of Special Trial Counsel has exercised authority over the offenses,” wrote Robertson.
These Guns, Going Forward
As for the pistols themselves, they’re back on duty — but the Air Force Global Strike Command is ordering “enhanced inspection procedures” for the M18 pistol going forward for areas where inspectors found problems during the pause.
The inspection identified discrepancies with 191 weapons across the command’s M18 inventory, chief among those related to “component wear.”
“The most frequent issues centered on problems with the safety lever, striker assembly and sear,” says the AFGSC’s statement. “Weapons exhibiting these discrepancies were immediately tagged and are undergoing necessary repairs.”
None of the weapon discharges AFGSC reviewed were attributed to weapons malfunction, the statement says.
As to the enhanced inspection measures, “We assess that any issues found with the safety lever, striker assembly and sear will be identified during semi-annual and annual inspections,” said Lt. Col. George Hern, AFGSC chief of security forces, in the statement. “As we execute M18 inspections in the future, we will be taking a particular interest in these components to ensure these methods address the issues we found and make adjustments as needed.”
The pistols that passed inspection were back in use Monday, the statement says.
The Gunsmith’s Take
Military, police, and private gun users have seen problems with the Sig P320 series — which includes M18s — for years now, Laramie-based gunsmith Brian Dimoff told Cowboy State Daily in a July interview.
Dimoff did not immediately respond to a Monday morning voicemail request for a follow-up interview.
Dimoff said last month that he believes the issue is that Sig Sauer tried to design its striker system without infringing Glock’s patent of that same system, and so made an ill-fitting design that may slip over time.
The internal pieces are under spring pressure and a block keeps the firing action at bay. If the pieces don’t fit together well, they’ll loosen over time and be prone to jolts.
“If one part begins to slip off another part, it’s a matter of time before it moves all the way down and you’re going to have a striker hit the primer,” Dimoff said.
As for Dimoff, he owns a P320 and says it’s a “great gun,” but he’s had it both customized and tested to the point of comfort.
The company responded to widespread criticism in a March 7 statement on X (formerly Twitter) captioned, “It ends today” and claiming reports of the guns firing on their own are either mischaracterized or fabricated.
“In the decade since its introduction, the P320 has undergone the most rigorous testing and evaluation of any firearm, by military and law enforcement agencies around the world,” says the statement. “Multiple plaintiffs’ so-called experts have conceded (that) it is not possible for the P320 to discharge unless the trigger is fully actuated.”
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
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I rotate my carry sigs each week ( P-220, P-229, P-226, P239,) so one or the other doesn't feel neglected. I do agree with the SA/DA De cock capability. Very safe and comfortable to carry.
I’m old fashioned, but I’d like if they went back to 1911 sidearms. I’m not sure it’s the best out there these days, but I have a bit of a nostalgic attachment to them.
Although I have a nice functioning 229. Police trade in, very little use.
Safety On results in the rotation of the Ambidextrous Thumb Safety Lever that:
1) Moves a Cam which is part of the shaft of the that moves the Hammer back away from the Firing Pin making it unable to strike the Firing Pin.
2) Disconnects the Sear and Trigger linkage leaving the Trigger to float freely and not even contact the Sear linkage.
3) Blocks the Firing Pin from moving to even make contact with the rear end of the Firing Pin. b
Footnotes: a-Many aftermarket Magazines are available ranging from 10 Round up to 35 Round.
b In addition to the action of #1.
The Magazine Release is ambidextrous as well.
I owned one of these IMO one of the best Pistols I ever owned was back in the 1980- 1990's and I foolishly put it in a Pawn Shop for a loan and failed to get it back in time. I had an Uncle Mike's Shoulder Rig with a Double Spare Magazine Pouch that I had modified to fit 2 of the "32" (that would actually hold 35 Rounds) in addition to the 17 Round Magazine that was in the Pistol and 1 Round in the Chamber for a total of 88 and with even a light weight shirt was unnoticeable. I was 6'1"/250# and I could keep 1 or 2 15 or 17 Rounds in My jean pockets for a grand total of 122 Rounds, not that I needed to go that far. I ran every type and brand of ammo through that Baby and NEVER had a feed or extraction problem and I ran a huge amount of all !!! Even aluminum case.Not even a Stovepipe ‼️
I'm going to buy another one this pay period.
I have heard many people say that the Grip was too big/fat to hold but it was a perfect fit for My Hands and I also liked the Ambidextrous Safety and Magazine thumb points. And it was perfectly balanced. Even with a 35 Round Magazine fully loaded.
If I could get the Exact Same Build Chambered in.45ACP I would be doing Cartwheels!!!
That's My 85. Cents worth 🔫🇺🇸
decock? ..... I don’t like that word..............😉
decock? ..... I don’t like that word..............😉
Still don’t know what exactly happened.
The Sig P-228/M11, P-226, and P-229 are all like that, but for some reason, polymer guns with internal hammers seem to be preferred style.
P-85...
Fascinating!
.
Got one when First Offered. Still have it with less than a Box thru It.
I figured Ruger was gonna be the Next U.S.
Sidearm!
I’m basically a Wheel Gun Fan.
Remember when Obama was visiting and he made all the troops turn in every single gun?
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