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

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

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S&W Accumulator

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.


Governor and Associates. Range and pictures 12-31-11

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

Regards
Allen Frame

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

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

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

S&W Governor

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

Governor vs. Judge

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Ogy

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

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

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.

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.

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.

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Ogy

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.

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.

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A real sucker for the J-frames

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

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Laus Deo! <><

perfect answer/comment

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.

First off God did not make shotguns. Secondly all firearms were smooth bore at one time. Thirdly, chokes were later added to shotguns to control the shot pattern. Fourth, Federal and Winchester have figured out how to keep their buckshot together in a tight group when fired through these guns using pre flatened disks in one case to grab the rifling and using a sabot in the other case. I can go on but just try shooting one at 10 yards using the Federal HD 000 Buck and see all those 4 pellets stay in the head area. Even if they penetrated just 8", 4 .36 caliber pellets will get anyone's attention. Of course there is always that illusive no pain feeling drug addict who just will not stop unless you hit is brain or spinal column through 4 denim shirts and an arm. In that case good luck with whatever you are carrying.

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

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.

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Front sight and squeeze

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.

True. I don't go to PPC matches.

Someone will. Hell, I shoot snubbies at 100 yards.

Why?

So what?

I don't have a Governor. I'll probably never own a Governor because I don't want one. I also don't want an AR, any semiautomatic pistol other than a M1911A1, or an X-Frame wheeless cannon. That doesn't mean I'm going to bad mouth any one else's choice of guns (unless it's, like, a Glock).

Let me ask a question: If all you had to defend your family and yourself from an attacker, 2-legged, 4-legged, or no-legged, was a Governor, would you turn it down in disgust?

ECS

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

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.

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

Hmmm... After seeing your reaction i did some quick research and it looks like I stand corrected. Their PR scam did a pretty good job convincing me it was a good self defense round and I wouldn't consider myself a noob. Maybe because I never really considered the .410 as there are much better guns to buy. And nothing replaces the old 12 gauge by my bed.

I found the arguement of dispersal and effectiveness over only a short distance to be appealling. I live in a neighborhood where the direction down my hallway from my bedroom fires right into my neighbor's house. I'm not too sure I'd fire my 9 in that direction. Or if I did, I'd be taking a pretty big chance.

Looks like I'll have to do some more research.

+1! Along those same lines why not use an arsenic dipped pellet out of an air rifle. Strictly a clunker scared out of the bushes by taurus judge sales. Hey if it makes bangy noises and Smith makes a profit on them more power to them even though they are neither fish nor fowl.

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S&W Accumulator

And when S&W saw how much money Taurus was making they wanted a piece of the action.

More concerned with making money than making good guns.

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A real sucker for the J-frames

I have had both The Judge, which I sold, as well as The Governor, which I currently have, and wouldn't rely on it's .410 capability for self defense, unless at close-contact range, and then it wouldn't be my first choice. This is based on my experience actually shooting critter's, Raccoons & 'Possums, with The Judge.

The performance of the .410 000 Buck, even the 3" version was dismal to say the least. I've said this in a number of other threads but I think it bears repeating, while dealing with one 'Possum I actually blurted out loud to myself, "I would be better off with a Louisville Slugger!" That's why I sold The Judge and the only reason I now have a Governor is because it also fires .45 acp rounds.......

My Governor is currently in the safe, which is where it has been since "critter season" ended and is where it will stay until the season opens back up.

Below is the only photo I've ever taken of the yard critters I've dealt with. The only reason I went in the house and got my camera is because I thought it was such a major accomplishment / ordeal to get this 'Possum with The Judge that it deserved some recognition, to myself that is. When you consider that I've shot both Raccoons & Possums with .32 S&W Longs out of a revolver and had it go a whole lot easier than it did with the .410 000 buck then it should give you some idea of why I keep mentioning this in many of The Governor threads.

While the .410's may look good on paper, paper targets that is, they haven't performed as I thought they would on small critters, which makes me beleive that they would be even less effective on bigger "critters."

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Ogy

Last coon season I hit a racoon with a 16 gauge bird shot at 30 feet away. I know I hit it because I rolled him. It got up and ran away. As I was cursing my decision to use bird shot, another one came out and I shot him about 10 feet away. It layed there and moaned for the next 10 minutes until I finally decided to put him out of his misery. I know it's not the best comparision but all of those critters are tough little buggers.

The main purpose of "The Governor" is to compete with "The Judge", the original version from Taurus.
Used to be that Taurus copied S&W. Now it seems to be the other way around.
Not sure I'd want either of the two guns. I don't know what they have that my other guns don't.

The auto industry steals designs from each other all the time, you don't let that stop you. Who stole whose design on lazer sights. The question was is the 410 a good defensive round. Shooting distance according to the NRA is under 21'. Nobody is more trained in defense than cops and look how many times they miss under the extreme stress of the situation. As I get older I find myself not as coordinated,not as fast and it taking more time to focus in the dark. We all paint the scenio that we will surprize the attacker & put Him in his place in hell. A co worker got his house broken into several month's ago. They came in through the garage. They stole his tools, tool boxes, scrap metal etc. They even loaded up his own car in the driveway and stole that. His teenage son was sleeping in a room adjacent to the garage, His two daughters were home from college. He was in bed with his wife and their two dogs. Has Two gun safes--full of guns. Didn't know anything was wrong till morning. The 4 gangbangers were apprehended a month later--SCARY. He really got the upper hand on them. A shotgun length is hard to handle in close quarters even the 18". If an intruder grabs a hold of me, I can't afford to lose. He had the chance to run away & he didn't. I don't have that option.

Prior to getting The Judge, which was my first .410 revolver, I spent a lot of time trying to find out what I could about the .410 round itself. During the course of those searches I heard that the minimum barrel length to get full powder burn from a .410 shell was between 18-19 inches.

I don't know how true that is, but I had to figure that having only 3" of barrel would have to effect the power of the .410 shell on some level.

Forget the platform for a minute. I would bet that if you asked people, gun people, what would be the best shotgun round for self defense you would get very few who would recommend the .410....This would even be in the context of a longer barrel which should give you more velocity and make the round more effective than it would be out of a barrel not much longer than the shell itself.

I'm not saying that the .410 would be totally ineffective, I'm sure it could have it's moments, but, when it comes to my Governor & self defense I'll stick with something like the 250 gr. Speer Gold Dot HP's in .45 Colt and keep the .410 loads for Raccoons & 'Possums.

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Ogy

Thanks for all the reply's.....
Now I'm really confused... Guess I'll keep what I have, might just add a S&W 357 to replace the Bersa for carry.
I own a S&W 67-1 home defense, A Bersa 380 auto self defense, and a Titan 25 auto backup. plus the M-1 for whatever... Just wanted one, now I have it but don't shoot it much. I like the S&W 67-1 the best for shooting. Thanks again for the replys....

What is the velocity shooting a 45acp or 45lc out of one of these? I would think the velocity is severely deminished out of these short barrels.

Can't really warm up to it-but I tried. I like the idea of shooting .45 ACP and .45 Long Colt out of the same gun but the shot shells ....eh. If I am going to use a shotgun I'll use my 870. For back yard pests, I'll take my 63 over a .410 in a handgun every day. If I am going to spend that kind of money-I'd rather buy a stainless steel Ruger convertable - makes more sense for me. But I ain't gonna disparage anyone who thinks otherwise.
Sorry

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Forum consigliere

If only the Governor detractors had some real world experience with said revolver before they opined on same. Even read the specifications - or fondle one - if you can't find one to shoot. It differs from a Taurus - it's a S&W! It has a better lockwork, will fit moonclipped .45 ACPs, and it's a six-shooter, to start with. It is basically a 325 Night Guard with an elongated N-frame, frame opening, and cylinder. It is 7/8" longer than the 325 Night Guard - and 1.6 oz heavier. They share the Al/Sc frame construction; fixed rear & tritium Night Sight front sight; SS 2.75" barrel length; and SS cylinder. The Governor, SKU #162410, has a current MSRP of $679; the 325NG, SKU #163421, is currently MSRP $1,049.

Yes, with or without the .500 Magnum grips mine sports, it's bigger than a 642:



The 642 will remain my 24/7 pocket protector. The Governor, with .45 ACP ball ammo and 250gr Speer GD JHP .45 Colts, has joined my 2" 10, 4" 64, and even a 2 5/8" PC627 UDR as home protectors. Again - you don't have to approve my choices - only I do. YMMV.

Stainz

PS As it will chamber 2.5" .410s, it is a first for me... at 63, I finally have a 'shotgun' - of sorts...

probably no worse than a 325 nightguard.

Maybe I am shallow but I cannot get past the appearance of the Governor/Judge/Z-frame anything. At a logical level I can accept some utility but at the emotional level I just compare the thing to the shape of and dimensions of an N frame and come away wanting. To me the frame/cylinder window just looks disproportional (phugly).

To me, I guess that because I had a Judge chambered for the 3" shells I feel that
The Govenor looks pretty good, by comparison, when it comes to it's proportions.
Would I call The Governor a "good looking" revolver?
No........but it doesn't looked like it's been "stretched" as much as The Judge did.
I will say this, The Judge's slimmer profile probably makes those chambered for the
2.5" shells look a little more proportional than The Governor does.

I'm not comparing either to any other revolver's because I'm
trying to stick with an "apples to apples" line of thinking.
One other thing, The Judge I had makes my Governor seem like an "Airweight."

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Ogy

Here's my .02, for what it's worth.

If the Governor revs your engines and gets you increased trigger time, I'd say go for it! Are there better choices for self-defense out there? Sure. However, there are a lot worse. At least you aren't going around with one of those silly little NAA .22 LR or .22 Magnum revolvers as your SD gun.

While I personally have no use for the Taurus "Judge" or the "Governor", it doesn't mean that someone else doesn't.

I have shot the Governor and .45 Colt and .45 ACP are easy to shoot out of this gun. The shotshells are fun, but to me a novelty.

In short, if you want it, grab it learn to shoot it well and then show us pictures! The gun is only as good as the shooter (well, for 90% of the time) and anything that gets a shooter increased trigger time IMHO is the best kind of gun there is.

I cant speak for the govener or the judge, but I have a bond arms 3" 45 410 deringer. and I can tell you 410 buck is absoulutly worthless from a short barrel!!!!!! I thought highly of what I THOUGHT it could do, UNTIL I shot a scrap peice of 7/16 osb at ten feet and the buckshot did not penetrate the osb but instead rebounded straight back and hit me, one piece to the forehead one to the cheek and one to the shoulder! it just felt like a bumble bee hit, nice little welp, didnt break the skin. I also have a tc contender 45/410 and if you want a squirel it better be inside 15 yds with 7 1/2 shot! let me put it this way if you ever actually have to use a 410 pistol you are going to be sorry you made that choice!

osb,2x4,plywood etc....shoot it at 10 feet with any shotgun and its subject to blowback on you...

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

No. Real shotguns blow right through it. Pretend guns like the Governor - not so good.

not correct at all....but...as u wish

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

If I'm correct, the shorter the barrel the shorter the burn time you need in a cartridge. Are the regular shot shells designed for short barrels or are we comparing apples and oranges. Winchester makes defensive rounds just for the shotgun pistol. I can't believe there not any good for PD. If what people are saying that the short barrel loses all of the momentum then those pistols that shoot rifle bullets wouldn't be any good for game.

Federal 410 Handgun ammo with 000 Buck ..is the only 410 ammo I'd ever consider for SD.....The 410 SD concept is sound as long as you know your gun/ammo limitations..short range.20 ft and under with 410....the 0.36 caliber pellets will most likely will lose velocity very fast beyond that ..thus limiting penetration...At close range the 4 000 buck pellets will go through and through a normal size fellow...

My opinion on these guns is that I cannot figure out why anyone would want to shoot a 410 shot shell in a gun chambered for a .45 LC.

The .45 is certainly more effective as a personal defense gun and there are shot shell cartridges available in .45 LC that feature 150 grains of #9 shot if he wants to kill snakes with it.

The ability to shoot .45 ACP is good, but you don't need a stretched out frame for that.

It is a sales gimmick that seems, of late, to have a good number of responders....

Please consider that unless you have some data proving that "through and through" claim, you are endangering noobs.

Re: OP. There have been many good constructive responses posted in response to your question. As to effectiveness, etc., use .410 loads designed for use in the Governor and you will certainly get better results than if you use some plain Jane .410 load intended for hunting with a 18-26 inch long barrel. For slugs, again use ammunition developed for and intended for use in revolver length barrels. When it comes to .45 Colt and .45 ACP loads, load and fire whatever you want. These rounds have been taking care of business for over 100 years. At HD range, they will be just as effective fired from the Governor. It is probably true that the Governor will not give "target" accuracy on par with that commonly expected from revolvers designed and chambered for specific rounds like the .45 Colt and .45 ACP. And... such accuracy is always nice when one is doing a little bit of target shooting at the range or in the woods/fields. But the Governor is not designed for that purpose. It is designed for SD/HD at limited distances. It will never satisfy the traditionalist or the urban warrior. But for dealing with "things that go bump in the night" it will be just the right tool for the job. In 32 years of marriage, my wife and I have served churches located in some not so nice areas. We've had to deal with attempted break-in's on five separate occasions. I or she used what was available... usually a 12 ga. loaded w/ birdshot. I also once used a M-59 (which at the time I knew was not reliable w/ hollow point ammo), a 6" 28 .357 Magnum (which of course had to long a barrel and was chambered in a caliber that would possibly be to loud if fired in a confined space), a .45 ACP Series 70 Colt (which everyone knows often require work for them to be reliable with hollow point ammo and which have such tiny sight as to make them all but unusable in low light). And, horror or horrors... the revolver that now currently sits on the nightstand is a little 15-3 loaded with 125 gr. jacketed hollow-points... and everyone knows the .38 Special is not really up to dealing with a typical HD/SD situation. But, until I can see a reason to change, that little 15 will sit on the nightstand and be carried by my wife in her knitting bag. And hopefully it will never be needed. But should the need arise, I figure it will do fine even if it is not the first choice of the cognizant. JMHO. Sincerely. brucev.

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<><

I don’t have a Governor yet but maybe someday.

I have a friend who has one and I gave him some of my 45 Colt reloads to shoot. He would like some with more spunk. He plans on wearing it while camping. (black bear country)

Does anybody push anything like 260gr at 1000 fps thru the Governor? If so will you share the info?

The ones I gave him were 8.5 Unique w/240 SWC. It hits about 825 in my 4”, never chronoed in the Gov.

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Shoot fast & live long
Warren

I would think accuracy would suffer greatly shooting through such a long smoothbore cylinder, gathering up velocity, and then striking rifling in the barrel. How would this affect cast vs jacketed bullets? I would think the cast would skid and be torn up somewhat. Would like to see a recovered round after being shot.

Has anyone tested this thing for accuracy with some 45LC rounds out at 25 yards?

I think the Governor should be impeached. S&W shouldn't be chasing other companies and copying bad ideas. Guns like these are just bigger, uglier, and more expensive Saturday Night Specials, and they give the anti-gun nuts more grist for their mill. Lucky for us the 2nd amendment allows us to keep and bear even really ugly arms. Good luck to all.