Military Base Offers $15,000 Reward for Information on Stolen M17 Pistols
Authorities at Fort Moore, a U.S. Army base in Georgia formerly known as Fort Benning, are offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of more than 30 missing M17 pistols, believed to have been stolen. The pistols, along with other high-value military equipment, were reported missing earlier this year, raising concerns about the potential security risk posed by the theft.
The M17, which became the Army’s official sidearm in 2017, is part of the Sig Sauer P320 platform. The Army adopted the M17 after a competitive selection process, and the pistol has since become a standard issue for U.S. forces. In addition to the missing pistols, the Army reports that other advanced military equipment, including Enhanced Night Vision Goggles (ENVGs) and an AN/PAS 13D Thermal Optic, are also unaccounted for.
The missing firearms and equipment were first discovered in May, though the thefts could have occurred as early as March. The stolen items are considered sensitive, as they are critical to the Army’s operations and readiness.
The M17 pistol is part of a broader shift in U.S. military sidearms. In 2019, the Army officially adopted the M17 and its compact counterpart, the M18, replacing older models like the Beretta M9, which had been in service since the 1980s. Both the M17 and M18 are part of Sig Sauer’s P320 series, a modular handgun platform designed for military and law enforcement use. The M18, a variant of the M17, was later adopted by the U.S. Air Force in 2020, which began replacing its stock of Beretta M9 pistols with the M18s. The U.S. Marine Corps also started fielding the M18 around the same time.
The missing firearms at Fort Moore are raising alarms due to their potential use in criminal activity or unauthorized military operations. The $15,000 reward is part of ongoing efforts to locate the missing weapons and hold accountable those responsible for the theft.
The Army’s investigation into the incident is ongoing, and military officials are urging anyone with information to come forward. The public’s assistance could be crucial in recovering the stolen items and ensuring they do not fall into the wrong hands.
Fort Moore has not released further details about how the items were stolen or any potential suspects but is encouraging individuals with knowledge of the theft to contact military or law enforcement authorities.
