Air Force review finds M18 service pistols safe and reliable

The United States Air Force has concluded a large-scale review of its M18 service pistols, determining the firearms are ‘safe, reliable, and functional.’ The inspection followed the death of Airman Brayden Lovan, who was shot and killed at F. E. Warren Air Base last July in an incident initially reported as an accidental discharge.

The review, which involved tens of thousands of weapons, found that inspected firearms showed no signs of conditions that could cause an ‘uncommanded discharge.’ Of the 117,864 M18 pistols currently in use, the Air Force has inspected 113,479, finding that 98.6% are in satisfactory condition. The remaining pistols were noted for issues ranging from requiring repairs to having lightly pitted parts.

The M18, which is based on the Sig Sauer P320, had been temporarily pulled from service by Air Force Global Strike Command and other units following the fatal shooting. The Air Force has since begun returning the pistols to service.