I just bought a new "Governor" Smith & Wesson Stainless

[Jalopiejoe]

I just purchased a Stainless Governor .410/45
It looks to be very well made,
clearances are tight and has a very
nice cycling action and trigger!
Next, to dry fire it a bunch and then take it to the range.
I wasn't sure about buying this thing because it is different but it is after all a Smith & Wesson!
I doubt that I will be disappointed!
I would like to hear pro and con about your Governor experience!
Thanks!

[22hipower]

When Taurus came out with their Judge I thought it was the dumbest thing I'd seen in new guns. Didn't feel a bit better about it when S&W introduced the Governor. Laughed at them for years and wouldn't even pick one up.

Bought one a year or so ago and it turns out to be a great revolver. Still not much of a believer in a short barreled 410 as a defensive weapon but as something to carry on the ranch for snakes and other undesirables it is great. The 410 with #8/#9 loads is far superior to any of the available shot loads in 357, 45acp, or even 44 Mag and 45 Colt. I load three 410s and three 45 Colt. I've killed several skunks at 15+ yards with the 410s and the 45 Colt is fine for hogs and other game that need finishing. Suppose those 45 Colt rounds would dissuade two legged varmints if the need arose and the gun is probably as accurate with them as most of my other revolvers.

So, not such a ridiculous product after all and for my purposes is the best I've found so far after using 340PD, 696, 296, 396, and a variety of longer barrel 357s/44s. Might even try to shoot a few dove with it when September rolls around if my 1100 410 isn't frustrating enough. Let us know how you like it.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

[Jalopiejoe]

Thank you for that!
Sounds positive to me.
Even though the Governor was more money I thought the workmanship was far superior to the Judges that I looked at! I could have easily spent the difference having the Judge brought up to par with action of the Governor!

[The Norseman]

I like the S&W Governor. Someday I’ll get one too. It would
be great around the Farm. The only reason I haven’t yet
I got other .410s and Guns to use.

The Best to you and your Endeavors.

[Echo40]

Congratulations! I don't own a Governor, but I do own a Taurus Judge Magnum, and I love it!



It's a blast to shoot at the range, (pun intended) and despite what other folks say, the Judge/Governor are extremely versatile Revolvers, which are viable in a wide variety or roles; Home Defense, Wilderness Defense, Vehicle Defense, etc.
Folks often doubt the effectiveness of .410 Shotshells out of a short rifled barrel, which is perfectly tangible, but with the right loads it can most certainly be effective. Case in point, Federal Premium .410 Handgun 000 Buck loads are roughly the equivalent of getting shot 4 times with .32 ACP every time the trigger is pulled, and while that's obviously not the most impressive performance, but it's most certainly effective.

Anyway, enjoy your Governor.

[huthike]

Love mine - have some great pics somewhere of a friend shooting 410’s in it and the muzzle flash is big even in daylight.

[DonD]

I have no personal experience with the ballistic performance of the Governor, however, a friend of mine has killed a few rattlers with it and it is serious medicine for them. Major decapitation well behind the head that used to be there.

I had a Bond Arms derringer in that caliber. Nasty little thing recoil wise with the tiny grip using 3/4 oz 410 rds with a lot of punch on the target. With the Governor's longer barrel, even better.

Enjoy. Don

[DonD]

Originally Posted by 22hipower

I've killed several skunks at 15+ yards with the 410s and the Jeff
SWCA #1457

Hope you were upwind of the targets! Don

[D Brown]

I'm very happy with my S&W Governor.

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This gun is a lightweight. The 45 Colt and 45 ACP loads feel like reduced loads when comparing the 410 Shot Loads. The 410 Buckshot loads are snappy!

[turp_dog]

I thought the concept was the dumbest thing for a long while after the Taurus Judge was introduced. I don't remember when/where I traded for or bought it, but I now have one in my safe that comes out during hunting season loaded with .410 bird shot for snake defense. Looks like Taurus was on to something after all!

[lihpster]

When they first came out with the Judge/Governor idea I wasn't impressed. But, I was looking at it from the wrong perspective. I was looking at it from a self defense angle. It isn't a great self defense gun. There are guns that are lighter, smaller, hold more ammo, and have arguably more effective ammo. Some do all at the same time. So, it's not a good self defense gun.
What it is, is a superior varmint/hunting gun that can work for self defense. It's an extremely versatile gun. If one looks at it from that standpoint, then it impresses. As a race car, a Peterbilt sucks. But if you need to get 20 tons of freight down the road, a Lambo ain't gonna help. Even though they're both vehicles, they do different things well.
Congrats on the new gun! These days, I'm happy if I can find gun for sale, much less one I can use for a price I can swallow!

[jack the toad]

Like some others, I wasn’t too impressed with the concept until I shot a buds judge. That lead me to a LNIB governor which I had no intention of selling until another gun bud recently diagnosed with cancer ran some of his .45 colt reloads through his dad’s judge. (See pic below) Luckily no injuries but windshield in new ram truck suffered catastrophic failure while shooting across hood.
Anyway, in an effort to make things right with his dad, I sold the son my governor for a song to give to his dad. I then was able to acquire another LNIB relatively affordable and plan to keep this one.
Slightly used judge and LNIB governor:




ETA:
He thought likely a double load but dont recall powder brand/type.

[Echo40]

Gee-whiz, what sort of reloads did THAT?!

Honestly, I once made the mistake of shooting a few cylinders full of loose overpressure .45LC (225gr @ 1300fps) loads through my Judge, but luckily didn't damage it at all, so it must have taken some insanely hot loads to do that, I'm talking straight up Ruger/Freedom Arms only loads.

[jag1954]

Well, I'm telling you I'm chuffed with my Governor. As soon as I held it for the first time at the LGS I said to the clerk "Yep, that ones coming home with me." So far I've put some .45ACP, .410 Hornady Critical Defense and #9 shot through it. First time out with it and I think the target range was 8 yards or so. It's a dandy.

[Oldfrt]

I found with the 45 ACP's I get better performance on paper with hotter loads

[SW Gun Guy]

I have a Judge Poly Defender that is my bedside gun. The grip setup makes shooting 410 shotshells or 45 Colt not feel bad at all. All that shoot it are amazed that the kick doesn't bother them at all. I am sure the Governor is also a fine firearm.