AboutGCH Expertise I CAN answer questions related to defensive use of firearms, tactics, prudent modifications of firearms, utility of certain types of firearms. My greatest knowledge is in the area of handguns.
PLEASE READ BEFORE SENDING QUESTIONS:
I CAN NOT identify antique guns or those that are old and out-of-production. I CAN NOT tell you the value of your firearms. I CAN NOT tell you the history of your guns. I CAN NOT supply information about cheap, inherently unsafe firearms (e.g. Jimenez, Jennings, Lorcin).
Experience Primary Instructor, F2v (armed and unarmed self-defense); NRA Certified Instructor; NRA Distinguished Expert, Handgun; International Defensive Pistol Association certified Safety Officer; IDPA classified Expert, Stock Service Pistol Division; Multiple graduate, Practical Firearms Training, Tactical Carbine and Advanced Defensive Handgun; Blackwater Training Center, Advanced Skills Handgun; Insights Training Center, Defensive Folding Knife; Integrated Defensive Fighting Systems, Unarmed Defense and Fixed Blade Knife; Range qualified with local police department, handgun and shotgun; Kukkiwon Ildan Black Belt, ETS certified Self-Defense Instructor
Organizations National Rifle Association, International Defensive Pistol Association, Virginia Citizens' Defense League; Integrated Defensive Fighting Systems; Personal Defense Group
Publications Tactical Journal
Education/Credentials Bachelor's and Master's degrees; Graduate Practical Firearms Training, Handgun levels 1, 2, and 3, and Tactical Carbine; Kukiwan certified Ildan black belt.
Awards and Honors Multiple trophies from various tactical pistol competitions.
Question With all the research I have recently completed on the Speer Gold
Dot .357 SIG round, and its reputation for being able to
successfully and continuously penetrate barriers such as
windshields and metal car doors, do you feel this is the most
appropriate and safe ammunition for the US Federal Air
Marshals to be carrying on airplanes?
Answer In my humble opinion, the .357 SIG has very few self-defense or law enforcement applications. The problem with the 9mm's ineffectiveness (depending on ammunition used and whom you speak with)boils down, often, to its overpenetration, this due to relatively small diameter and rapid velocity. To then take a 9mm projectile and drive it faster (as the h.357 SIG does) does not make a lot of sense (at least there should have been a clear question that the development of the round was seeking to answer). A frequent problem with 9mm ammuntion is collateral damage due to overpenetration. The only reason it is not as prevalent with the .357 SIG is that the cartridge is not as common as the 9mm.
Of the .357 SIG ammuntion available, the Speer Gold Dot is among the hotter offerings, thereby increasing the risk of overpenetration and collateral damage should the projectile fail to expand and lodge in fleshy medium.
Asked for my opinion, my recommendation for the USFAM program would be the .40 S&W loaded with either MagSafe or Glaser Safety Slugs.
