I use the Governor for what it is: a hallway home defense pistol and a snake gun outside. No complaints.
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Has the Governor been "impeached?"
- Thread starter Rhetorician
- Start date
I never thought I'd own one as I also thought of them as a novelty but after shooting a guy's Judge and running across a decent deal on a LNIB used Governor, I now own one.
IMO, the thing it's best at is being versatile. I'm still warming up to it but since it's became my woods EDC, it's showing holster wear in the normal places so its getting some carry time after finding a suitable holster. As mentioned, the Z frame (N frame w/ elongated cylinder window & K frame RB grip) is plenty big for the 2.5" shells and I wouldn't want a 3" but would prefer chambered for .454 Casull if it could handle it. Literally everything from copperheads to bigfoot could be taken. In the meantime use .45 Colt for serious work (walks in bear country, etc), moon-clipped .45 ACP for social work and shotshells for close-in varmints, snakes, etc. I've patterned #4, 6 & 8 but haven't tried .410 slugs yet. I have tried and like the federal 000 buck as it holds a good pattern at 10 yds. and from youtube vids shows decent penetration too.
IMO, the thing it's best at is being versatile. I'm still warming up to it but since it's became my woods EDC, it's showing holster wear in the normal places so its getting some carry time after finding a suitable holster. As mentioned, the Z frame (N frame w/ elongated cylinder window & K frame RB grip) is plenty big for the 2.5" shells and I wouldn't want a 3" but would prefer chambered for .454 Casull if it could handle it. Literally everything from copperheads to bigfoot could be taken. In the meantime use .45 Colt for serious work (walks in bear country, etc), moon-clipped .45 ACP for social work and shotshells for close-in varmints, snakes, etc. I've patterned #4, 6 & 8 but haven't tried .410 slugs yet. I have tried and like the federal 000 buck as it holds a good pattern at 10 yds. and from youtube vids shows decent penetration too.
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I only bought the Governor as a "fun gun" to use on my country property. I put clay targets in the woods, in the trees, ect. I almost make it like an obstacle course to shoot clay targets in many different ways with the .410 shells. It's a lot of fun. Hickok45 on YouTube gave me the idea doing a "woods walk" with a Governor shooting 2 liters on his property. I would never have bought a Governor if I didn't own my large, heavily wooded property out in the country.
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jtcarm
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Well and there's the price difference. Most people interested in a gun of that type of gun don't see any additional value in the Smith (not sure I would either for a gun of that class, but I'm not interested in them.)
I also suspect a big part of the market for them are rural dwellers who use them as snake/all-purpose guns. Those folks generally don't have a lot of spare cash.
As an example: at Academy the other day, a lady asked me what handgun I would recommend for SD. She wasn't an experienced shooter said her hubby's 9mm scared her and she just wanted something essentially for breaking contact in a close range attack.
I pointed to the revolver case and said a 2" .38. Dead simple to operate and plenty effective at close range. She immediately stepped up to the counter and asked to see a Taurus, the least-expensive in the case, which contained several S&Ws.
This may be blasphemy on this forum, but for her, I imagine the Taurus is adequate.
Gulfecho
Member
I don't know if anyone has seen the terminal ballistics of the Federal 000 buck. It made me a believer! Watch from 6:10 into the video. I got my Governor from Bud's gun shop on line.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AmjsiXT0YM[/ame]
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AmjsiXT0YM[/ame]
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HOUSTON RICK
Member
As mentioned above, the judge competes directly with a lower priced Taurus product. Fewer of the target market are likely to value quality over price. I see a lot of them at gun shows.
Fine for fun/novelty, but it's simply not a practical, effective weapon for self-defense IMO. They seem to be marketed to those lacking knowledge, experience and who truly don't know the difference. I'm not aware of any reputable defense instructors that recommends them for serious defense purposes and for good reason. JMO, YMMV
I think Massad Ayoob nails it.... Smith & Wesson Governor/Taurus Judge viable for home defense? | Glock Talk
I think Massad Ayoob nails it.... Smith & Wesson Governor/Taurus Judge viable for home defense? | Glock Talk
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686-380
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To each his/her own
I imagine he's going on the lack of pertinent data - I've never heard of anyone using either a Taurus Judge or Smith & Wesson Governor in any situation, with any type of ammunition.
I've done my own ballistic testing with synthetic gelatin. I realize that gelatin tests are quite limited. It's homogeneous, no bone or varying degrees of viscosity from the various tissues. That said, I've been fairly pleased with the penetration of the defensive .410 rounds.
My goal is only to stop an attacker, not necessarily to kill...
I imagine he's going on the lack of pertinent data - I've never heard of anyone using either a Taurus Judge or Smith & Wesson Governor in any situation, with any type of ammunition.
I've done my own ballistic testing with synthetic gelatin. I realize that gelatin tests are quite limited. It's homogeneous, no bone or varying degrees of viscosity from the various tissues. That said, I've been fairly pleased with the penetration of the defensive .410 rounds.
My goal is only to stop an attacker, not necessarily to kill...
Gulfecho
Member
Mister X, Please view post #25. Additionally, I've added the Lehigh Maximum Expansion round results from "Shooting The Bull". It was fired from a Public Defender, results would be similar from the Governor. These results are far from novelty. Again, I got mine from Bud's gun shop
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bLonprIWm4[/ame]
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The Governor could work in a defense scenario, but the same could be said about any gun or a sock full of quarters. Folks are free to choose what they wish, but not all choices are equally viable. IMO, the Governor meets the textbook definition of a "novelty" and should be considered as such if finding the most practical and effective tool for the gravely serious business of personal self-defense is the goal. One of the most glaring problems with the Governor is that by designing it to chamber .410 shotgun shells, you profoundly impact it's ability to effectively chamber .45 colt/,45 ACP. and what you end up with is an extremly large, inaccurate snubnose revolver which does nothing well.
From Grant Cunningham... I still think a .410 revolver is silly. – www.GrantCunningham.com
From Grant Cunningham... I still think a .410 revolver is silly. – www.GrantCunningham.com
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Gulfecho
Member
Not trying to change your mind or the IMO's. I do, respectfully disagree with your premise the Judge or Governor is novelty. I am referring to reputable ballistic tests regarding .410 and appropriate .45 Colt ammo made specifically for the Governor. With the right ammunition the Governor is a highly effective SDF platform. Not sure what your "text book definition of novelty is"? I understand it as:
-the quality or state of being new, different, and interesting
-something that is new or unusual : something novel
-something unusual and entertaining that is popular for a short period of time
I believe the Judge has been around long enough and established itself in sheer revenue to be excluded from definition #3. The Governor is simply more refined.
For fun, collecting etc., it doesn't matter.
However, if we are talking about choosing a gun to be used for self-defense where lives are stake, then making informed and sensible choices becomes critical.
Tell ya' what . . . You get a sock full of quarters, I'll load my Governor with one round each of .45 Long Colt, .45 ACP and .410. Meet me at the end of my hallway tonight . . .
PS: I went to Grant Cunningham's site. He's renowned for being a teacher. His site doesn't list what he's done besides teaching . . .
Those that can, do. Those that can't, teach . . .
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Gulfecho
Member
This is the second incident I have heard about. Both where from pharmacists.
Pharmacist won't be charged in shooting | News | wyomingnews.com
So lets take choices 1, 2 and 3 which will be .410 buckshot, 45 ACP and 45 Colt. Which one of these would not be an "informed and sensible choice" ????
Haters are always going to hate.
686-380
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So, your point is?
I realize that the Governor doesn't have a track record. I do respect the opinions of the naysayers. I have chosen a Governor for my own reasons.
For me, mitigating a threat includes using intimidation. I also want to increase my odds of hitting what I'm shooting at.
Any firearm is capable of self-defense. Which particular facet of the Governor/Judge makes it less than worthy? Revolver? Snub nose? Ugly? .410 caliber?
I realize that the Governor doesn't have a track record. I do respect the opinions of the naysayers. I have chosen a Governor for my own reasons.
For me, mitigating a threat includes using intimidation. I also want to increase my odds of hitting what I'm shooting at.
Any firearm is capable of self-defense. Which particular facet of the Governor/Judge makes it less than worthy? Revolver? Snub nose? Ugly? .410 caliber?
Maybe some expect too much from the entire governor/judge concept. IMO, the governor will not shoot ACP as accurately as a 625 or handle heavy Colt loads like a Ruger Redhawk or shot like a 26" full choke but for what it is (versatility in a light-weight fairly concealable package) I think it's ok. If you're expecting anything more, you may not be satisfied but as an adequate (not the best) SD tool (SD accuracy at typical SD ranges) I'm satisfied so far.
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SW_TopBreak
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I'm going to defend the Governor on this one, since he seems to be getting bullied a little.
I'm not really understanding all the hating on this gun… You have the ability to fire your choice of 3 different types cartridges, all of which are big bore! I love .45 ACP, and I know plenty of people who enjoy shooting .45 LC. Also having the ability to load up some .410 snake-shot is awesome.
Who would not want to have some big bore self-defense, that is also versatile depending on your carrying/surrounding conditions for the day, while still having the same manual of operations? You can even have night sights AND a laser if that's your thing.
How many other double-action .45 revolvers can you buy "new" today? Just saying...
SWTB
I'm not really understanding all the hating on this gun… You have the ability to fire your choice of 3 different types cartridges, all of which are big bore! I love .45 ACP, and I know plenty of people who enjoy shooting .45 LC. Also having the ability to load up some .410 snake-shot is awesome.
Who would not want to have some big bore self-defense, that is also versatile depending on your carrying/surrounding conditions for the day, while still having the same manual of operations? You can even have night sights AND a laser if that's your thing.
How many other double-action .45 revolvers can you buy "new" today? Just saying...
SWTB
My issue is with the concept of a .410 handgun. It could work as I stated before, but so could just about any weapon and it would be way down on the list of choices for effective home defense handguns. I'm a huge fan of revolvers and especially snub-nose ones. With an enclosed hammer J-frame, you get an excellent combination of lightweight, concealment, power and ECQ capabilities that no other gun can match IMO. The Governor offers none of that since it sacrifices everything at the expense of being able to fire .410 shotgun shells.
And I wouldn't count on any intimidation factor with the Governor being a deterrent any more than hoping the sound of racking a pump shotgun will send an intruder(s) fleeing. And if you want to increase the odds of hitting your target, there are much more accurate weapons available.
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