Will 2021 see a new pistol buy?

[Jarnhamar]

So the USAF just ordered all M18s to be withdrawn for full technical inspections. It should be noted the M18 has a manual safety added for the USAF so it is unlikely its related to other issues reported for drop fire, etc from other models. Ill need to do some digging.

View attachment 94774

The story is developing but it sounds like a US service member was just shot and killed by a discharging P320. One report has the pistol in a drop leg holster and the other report has the pistol in a holster on a table (which seems odd).

 

[MilEME09]

The story is developing but it sounds like a US service member was just shot and killed by a discharging P320. One report has the pistol in a drop leg holster and the other report has the pistol in a holster on a table (which seems odd).

USAF weapons handling policy would likely have the pistol at condition 1 if loaded, which means the safety would of been engaged. Ive seen the reports as well, but will wait to comment until the dust settles a bit more.

 

[KevinB]

USAF weapons handling policy would likely have the pistol at condition 1 if loaded, which means the safety would have been engaged. Ive seen the reports as well, but will wait to comment until the dust settles a bit more.

DoD Policy and actually weapons handling are often two very different things, having been an OEM SME at one injury accident event, and one criminal event.
When you need to explain the weapons actual cycle of operations to the convening authority, as well as the defense team…

I’m also the guy at the DFAC that despite a force exemption policy was told multiple times a day to unload my pistol at the clearing barrels. So I’d clear it, put the mag back in, and drop the slide - not once was I ever called out for just re readying my pistol. With both 1911 and then Glock.

Most of DoD should just be issued a sim gun instead of a live pistol.

 

[daftandbarmy]

The story is developing but it sounds like a US service member was just shot and killed by a discharging P320. One report has the pistol in a drop leg holster and the other report has the pistol in a holster on a table (which seems odd).

Reddit post...

https://www.reddit.com/r/Firearms/comments/1m6mkps/unconfirmed_leak_sig_m18_pistol_kills_us_airman

 

[MilEME09]

Reddit post...

https://www.reddit.com/r/Firearms/comments/1m6mkps/unconfirmed_leak_sig_m18_pistol_kills_us_airman

Like 4 different versions of the story circulating right now, and this is why never trust first reports.

 

[brihard]

Sounds like any P320 holster should come with a tourniquet pouch…

 

[OldSolduer]

Sounds like any P320 holster should come with a tourniquet pouch…

Ok I will admit I’m not a pistol guy. I like them but don’t own any.
What is the problem with this particular model?

 

[brihard]

Ok I will admit I’m not a pistol guy. I like them but don’t own any.
What is the problem with this particular model?

I’m not sure what the whole thing has been about, mechanically. I defer to @KevinB

 

[daftandbarmy]

Maybe they'll buy our old Brownings now...

Air Force Grounds M18 Pistols After Fatal Discharge at F.E. Warren Air Force Base​

The U.S. Air Force’s Global Strike Command has indefinitely halted the use of the M18 pistol after a tragic incident at F.E. Warren Air Force Base on July 20, 2025, left a Security Forces non-commissioned officer dead. The standard-issue sidearm, a military variant of the SIG Sauer P320, allegedly discharged while holstered, striking the Airman in the chest without any physical manipulation of the trigger.

In response, Global Strike Command ordered all M18s removed from operational and training use. Personnel assigned to nuclear security duties have been temporarily issued M4 rifles in place of sidearms, and a command-wide inspection of every M18 pistol is now underway. The investigation is being led by Air Force Special Investigations and safety review boards.

Incident Details: Holstered Pistol, No Trigger Pull​

Eyewitness accounts and unofficial internal reports describe a chilling scenario: during a routine task, the holstered M18—chambered and secured—was set down on a table. Without any trigger input, it discharged. The round struck the Airman in the chest, resulting in an immediate fatality. Though the Air Force has not released full investigative findings, internal memos indicate that an “uncommanded discharge” is the focus of inquiry.

https://sofrep.com/news/air-force-grounds-m18-pistols-after-fatal-discharge-at-f-e-warren-air-force-base/

 

[KevinB]

Ok I will admit I’m not a pistol guy. I like them but don’t own any.
What is the problem with this particular model?

The Sig 320 pistol was a really bad mechanical design.
There have been a number of revisions to the pistol over the years, and when UD's have occured Sig has paid a metric ass ton to keep most of them out of the courts.

I'll be honest I don't like Ron Cohen, their CEO, he took a company that was renown for their firearms and has scrimped on pretty much anything trying to save a penny on the manufacture.

Sig however has a voluntary upgrade program at no cost.

P320 Voluntary Upgrade Program | SIG SAUER

The P320® Voluntary Upgrade Program is a SIG SAUER initiative to upgrade P320 pistols at no additional cost.

www.sigsauer.com

One can google Sig P320 Sear Mechanism and find a lot of various versions and YouTube videos about the issues.

Sig has been so kind to send a process serve to my house in the night to serve me in the past when I was an expert witness for another case - so I will refrain from dragging them further through the mud, and let folks look for themselves.

 

[daftandbarmy]

The Sig 320 pistol was a really bad mechanical design.
There have been a number of revisions to the pistol over the years, and when UD's have occured Sig has paid a metric ass ton to keep most of them out of the courts.

I'll be honest I don't like Ron Cohen, their CEO, he took a company that was renown for their firearms and has scrimped on pretty much anything trying to save a penny on the manufacture.

Sig however has a voluntary upgrade program at no cost.

P320 Voluntary Upgrade Program | SIG SAUER

The P320® Voluntary Upgrade Program is a SIG SAUER initiative to upgrade P320 pistols at no additional cost.

www.sigsauer.com

One can google Sig P320 Sear Mechanism and find a lot of various versions and YouTube videos about the issues.

Sig has been so kind to send a process serve to my house in the night to serve me in the past when I was an expert witness for another case - so I will refrain from dragging them further through the mud, and let folks look for themselves.

 

[Cloud Cover]

Relevant …

https://twitter.com/x/status/1948137073476571345

 

[calculus]

Here's the most detailed report on this latest "incident":

Sig M18 Pistols Pulled From Use By Air Force Global Strike Command (Updated)

A fatal incident prompted the order to pause M18 use, which also comes after the disclosure of a concerning FBI report that Sig has pushed back on.

www.twz.com

I must admit I was seriously considering a P320 at one point (bought a Walther PDP instead, when such things were possible in this great country of ours). I feel like I literally dodged a bullet.

 

[Maxman1]

I wonder if it's too late to switch to the P226.

 

[Jarnhamar]

I wonder if it's too late to switch to the P226.

My P226 shoots great. I wouldn't trust grunts with care and cleaning of a 226, they seem a little fragile for the old milk create treatment.


Taking a loaded and readied pistol off and putting it on a table, seemingly pointing at someone, isn't a wise move.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

My P226 shoots great. I wouldn't trust grunts with care and cleaning of a 226, they seem a little fragile for the old milk create treatment.


Taking a loaded and readied pistol off and putting it on a table, seemingly pointing at someone, isn't a wise move.

Exactly my concern, they will clean them to death.

 

[OldSolduer]

Exactly my concern, they will clean them to death.

How true - the infantry took clean weapons to an extreme in some cases.

 

[PuckChaser]

I wonder if it's too late to switch to the P226.

I believe the assembly line is closed and spare parts would be an immediate issue. Even though I love the P226, why would we throw money at Sig again if they sold us a defective product?

 

[KevinB]

I wonder if it's too late to switch to the Glock

FIFY

I really liked my experiences with the P226 and P226R, but it definitely isn't the ideal GPF pistol.
Double/Single Action and the de-cocker aren't really limited user friendly, and the DOA trigger pull is a deplorable.