Same problem here.
Trigger and Release weapons assigned to joystick. master Arm ON, A/A or A/G mode, pressing either one does nothing.
All set for sim mode. Bought F-18 2 days ago.
Tried for half a day, nothing.
DCS running not in full screen mode ( no checkmark in OPTIONS/SYSTEM tab)
I am about to quit.
Buttons assigned, show actions when pushed, but no action, see screenshots. Wtf? It should not be THAT hard.