US Airman killed by SIG Pistol accidental discharge

**Johann du Toit** · 30-07-2025, 09:58

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/air-force-pauses-m18-pistol-after-airmans-death-124033793
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/07/25/airman-killed-m18-handgun-discharge-identified-21-year-old-kentucky-native.html

For the record, the P320 was one of the final three choices to buy an EDC handgun, along with the Glock 19 and CZ P-07. I'm glad I chose a Glock (45, which is basically a G19 with a G17 Grip).
Problems with the P320's discharging accidentally have been doing rounds for years, and yet SIG doesn't seem willing to deal with the problem.

To any P320 owners on this forum, have you experienced any problems with your firearm?

**SSP** · 30-07-2025, 10:17

This particular discharge was no accidental which implies negligence on the part of the airman.

It was uncommanded. It went off in a holster when the holster was placed on a desk.

**Toxxyc** · 30-07-2025, 11:08

P320s are now being banned from shooting ranges and matches as well. There's a man who simply stated on the Sig forum that "accountability needs to be taken" and his post was removed. When he asked "why" the mod went apeshit and told him to F-off.

Sig needs to really step up and take responsibility for this. There are PLENTY of videos out there proving that the pistol can and will fire without the trigger being pulled.

**Heath Robinson** · 30-07-2025, 11:18

Ian McCollum recently released a video basically stating that in his opinion Sig has dropped the ball to the extent that there is now now coming back from it.
I agree. They have left this un-answered for far too long. I won't be surprised if this doesn't eventually bankrupt them.

**oafpatroll** · 30-07-2025, 11:40

The videos 'prove' nothing. They suggest things but don't prove anything. If there were proof of the fact that they can fire themselves the lawsuits where SIG has been found against would have been made on that rather obvious basis but they weren't.

**MSW2** · 30-07-2025, 12:03

There is a recent vid showing how by having the trigger pressed by .5mm and moving the slide you can make a shot go off. A quick YT search should bring it up. Angry Cops also mentioned it in a recent vid.

**oafpatroll** · 30-07-2025, 12:30

Originally Posted by Johann du Toit

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/air-force-pauses-m18-pistol-after-airmans-death-124033793
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/07/25/airman-killed-m18-handgun-discharge-identified-21-year-old-kentucky-native.html

For the record, the P320 was one of the final three choices to buy an EDC handgun, along with the Glock 19 and CZ P-07. I'm glad I chose a Glock (45, which is basically a G19 with a G17 Grip).
Problems with the P320's discharging accidentally have been doing rounds for years, and yet SIG doesn't seem willing to deal with the problem.

To any P320 owners on this forum, have you experienced any problems with your firearm?

The initial batch of 320s that were prone to the drop safety issue were recalled and fixed. What possible reason could SIG have for not doing the same now if they had a fix to the issue of the moment?

**oafpatroll** · 30-07-2025, 12:32

Originally Posted by Toxxyc

Sig needs to really step up and take responsibility for this. There are PLENTY of videos out there proving that the pistol can and will fire without the trigger being pulled.

As stated above, yoochoob videos prove nothing. If they did the cases would all be done and dusted on the basis of a proven defect and they weren't.

What exactly do you mean by 'step up and take responsibility for this'?

**MSW2** · 30-07-2025, 12:35

And this.

**Sean Murphy** · 30-07-2025, 13:06

I've seen some of the new videos posted on YT.

The first question that always pops into my head when I see these cases of pistols discharging when dropped or holstered is: Are these pistols 100% standard as they left the factory or have they been modified in any way? Specifically modifications to the trigger or striker mechanisms?

If these guns are factory standard, and clean and maintained, and can discharge in a holster with no contact on the trigger, the the design must have a serious flaw. How could it be otherwise?

However, I know how guns get modded to make the trigger lighter, faster etc. If a gun contains non factory parts then how do you hold the manufacturer responsible if something goes wrong?

In this case of the airman getting shot by his untouched issue pistol I would think that the gun was as supplied by the factory and he was carrying it as issued.

I am interested to see how this plays out.