Thoughts on the "GOVERNOR"

GreyEagle · Feb 18, 2012

Found this online while looking at some .45 ACP's....

anyone have experience with these?

Recommendations please...

MODEL: GOVERNOR™ ..... mfg#62410

Caliber: .410 2 1/2", .45 ACP, .45 Colt
Capacity: 6 Rounds
Action: Single/Double Action
Barrel Length: 2.75" / 6.985 cm
Front Sight: Tritium Night Sight (Dovetailed)
Rear Sight: Fixed
Grip: Synthetic
Weight: 29.6 oz. / 839.145 g
Overall Length: 8.5" / 21.59 cm
Height: 5.5" / 13.97 cm
Width: 1.75" / 4.445 cm
Frame Material: Scandium Alloy
Cylinder: Stainless PVD
Finish: Matte Black

Price: $609.99

Mike SC Hunter · Feb 18, 2012

Since you ask..................I think they are a worthless good for nothing hunk of junk. My $0.02.

Allen-frame · Feb 18, 2012

Mike said:
Since you ask..................I think they are a worthless good for nothing hunk of junk. My $0.02.

I think I might actually value the opinion of someone who has actually owned one.
Unless Mike has actually owned one and got rid of it in disgust,
or because of mechanical failure.

Hmmm, and here I love mine.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...nor-associates-range-pictures-12-31-11-a.html

But by all means, DECIDE for YOURSELF.
Do not be swayed by any opinion until you shoot one yourself.

Regards
Allen Frame

Stainz · Feb 18, 2012

I bought mine early last June locally at $569 + s/t because it saved me over $300 over the cost of a new 325NG, my other choice for a bedside .45 ACP revolver. I keep 240+ moonclips loaded with ball ammo, etc, and only had my 625JM that would take them - the Governor doubled my choices and makes a great bedside gun, even if it is a bit longer and a whole 1.8 oz heavier than the similar 325 Night Guard. It's ability to chamber & fire .45 Colt and Schofield as well as 2.5" .410 shells, too, is a definite plus. Mine hits coincident POI/POA from 7-12 yd with ball ammo and 250gr Speer Gold Dots. Fortunately, I only have to appease myself in my firearms purchases - and the Governor, most of a year later, still rates as a great buy in my book.

Stainz

ogilvyspecial · Feb 18, 2012

When it comes to Governor Threads, here's the grand-daddy of them all.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/194855-s-w-governor.html

Here's another, there are, many, many more........

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/227023-governor-vs-judge.html

kennyb · Feb 18, 2012

Mike said:
Since you ask..................I think they are a worthless good for nothing hunk of junk. My $0.02.

uhhh mike....why don't ya just tell us what you REALLY think!!!!

mag318 · Feb 18, 2012

GreyEagle,
The Governor is a somewhat unique but very versatile revolver, click on the above posted links to see why many here share that opinion. Besides being versatile it's a lot of fun to shoot. On the practical side it would be a good choice for a field or survival revolver.

youngda9 · Feb 18, 2012

Mike said:
Since you ask..................I think they are a worthless good for nothing hunk of junk. My $0.02.

I agree. Too big. Much more effective, smaller, and lighter options out there. If you want something that big there are also much better options.

It's a solution looking really hard for a problem.

ogilvyspecial · Feb 18, 2012

Because I had seen size & weight mentioned on occasion
I did some weighing for the Governor vs Judge thread.

This is cut & pasted from that thread.

Because someone mentioned how heavy the
Governor was it got me to wondering about
this so I went and did some checking.

I used digital postal scales that were zeroed in
before each weight was taken so I'm probably
pretty close to the actual weights.

The 3" 686+ loaded with 7 rounds of Buffalo Bore
.38 SPL +P, 158 gr lead semi-wadcutter hp's weighed,
2 lb. 7.7 oz.

The 2.5" Model 66-2 with 6 rd's of the same Buffalo Bore
ammo listed above weighed,
2 lb. 3.4 oz. (same as the Gov w/250 gr. Speer Gold Dots)

The Governor weights are below:

6 rounds Speer Gold Dot .45 Colt, 250 gr. hp
2 lb. 3.4 oz.

6 rounds Federal LE Classic "Hi-Shok" .45 acp, 185 gr. hp
2 lb. 2.2 oz. (with Moon Clip)

6 rounds Federal Handgun .410 (2.5") 000 buck
2 lb. 3.1 oz.

All 3 guns had Crimson Trace LG-306 Grips
(as shown in photo below)

Based on the above, the Governor, even with the heaviest rounds, weighs
the same as a 2.5" M66-2 with 158 gr. LSWC Buffalo Bore Ammo.

halco46 · Feb 18, 2012

Luv My Guv.

Never a problem with my Guv after over 800rnds through it. Accurate in both .45ACP and Federal 000 Buck,who could ask for More?. The naysayers have never carried or owned one,this is my EDC without any concealed problems and this is what it does at 30 feet.

suckersrus · Feb 18, 2012

Mike said:
Since you ask..................I think they are a worthless good for nothing hunk of junk. My $0.02.

I'm with Mike.

When God made shotguns, he made them with smooth bores.

A rifled-barrel shotgun is just,... just,...just, well it ain't right.

woodsltc · Feb 18, 2012

Well, here's my .02 cents.............they are interesting firearms and IMO an oddity that will be something to have as part of a collection for some folks.

But,(you knew there had to be a "but" in here) I can think of dozens of guns I would rather have for the same amount of $$ or for self-defense purposes.

They are just not something I would spend my money on.

Don

mtgianni · Feb 18, 2012

You will never see one at a PPC match. I don't believe I will ever see someone practicing from the 50 yard line with one. They must serve a purpose. I have other guns that serve that same purpose.

NE450No2 · Feb 18, 2012

OK here are my questions and some Random thoughts on the S&W Governor.

As many of you know from my previous posts The wife and I carry 44 Mags and use a LOT of CCI/Speer shotshells to shoot all manner of snakes and a LOT of small game for the pot.

The S&W "Gov" will also shoot 45 Colt shotshells.

But it will ALSO shoot 2 1/2" .410 shotgun shells.

So my questions are:
Are the .410 shotshells with No 7 1/2" and No6 shot more effective on small game than the CCI/Speer shothsells.

And when shooting varmints, like skunks, raccoons, and say bobcats, [I have a constant problem with them on my place killing my ducks...]
how effective are the .410 buckshot loads?

IF the answers are, Yes the .410 shotshells are more effective, and .410 buckshot are also very effective, then I think the S&W "Gov", would be well worth a look.

Its ability to shoot 45ACP in full moon clips is also a BIG PLUS. IMHO.

So I would like to see you guys that have a Govenor to do a
test for us.

Could be the Govenor, is the best "Utility" handgun around.

ltxi · Feb 18, 2012

woodsltc said:
Well, here's my .02 cents.............they are interesting firearms and IMO an oddity that will be something to have as part of a collection for some folks.

But,(you knew there had to be a "but" in here) I can think of dozens of guns I would rather have for the same amount of $$ or for self-defense purposes.

They are just not something I would spend my money on.

Don

perfect answer/comment

Kap · Feb 21, 2012

S & W governor

I just purchased the S & W governor for Home defense. I have read a lot of negative reviews from knowledgeable people. So let me retroflect. Wasn't the 45 acp the military rounds used in the last 100 years, wasn't the 45 LC the cowboy/indian killer of the old west. Did they not make a 00 round for a 38 special for law enforcement over 20 years ago, that never really caught on. How could any of these rounds not be good for self defense. Your sound asleep and all of a sudden you hear something. You get up with your gun, Damn I forgot to put my glasses on, I'm in my pajamas struggling to see, I'm nervous as hell, shaking, and I bet you think I'm going to shoot just like I was on the range that day. Hold still while I aim. Oh no I forgot my Dirty Harry gun ! That's the only gun that can REALLY stop an intruder. Wasn't the highest death count in a war, the civil war. And what did they use--A little round lead ball and black powder. My home defense gun of choice is a sawed off double barrel about 10" long but can't buy that can I. So I take my chance with a governor with those new defense rounds with copper disks for the first two and 45 LC hollow points for the next 4.A bullet must hits it mark. to do any good. Any Bullet.

dla · Feb 21, 2012

Mike said:
Since you ask..................I think they are a worthless good for nothing hunk of junk. My $0.02.

+1 - I couldn't have said it better myself.

mangkukhan · Feb 21, 2012

It's hard for me to like a Governor if for no other reason than S&W basically copied a Taurus design. Regardless of the fact that they modified it, it still hurts my soul a little.

Fat B · Feb 21, 2012

mangkukhan said:
It's hard for me to like a Governor if for no other reason than S&W basically copied a Taurus design. Regardless of the fact that they modified it, it still hurts my soul a little.

I agree. I think the Governor has it's merits, and the .410 shot is a pretty good home defense round. But S&W is straight ripping of a... Taurus? That hurts. S&W is a better company than that. Or at least I'd like to believe.

dla · Feb 21, 2012

Fat B said:
and the .410 shot is a pretty good home defense round.

You've got to be kidding - right?

It is the most pathetic scam directed at noobs I've ever seen - ever. I cringe every time some noob talks up the 410 as an SD round

Thoughts on the "GOVERNOR"

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

SWCA Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Absent Comrade

Member

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads