Governor fires Judge...finally Taurus free... Governor review

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TheMystro

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I really like and have used the shotgun pistol the last few years. I have killed large farm animals to small game and several in between. I like the versatility and use it often as a trail gun. The shotgun pistol is like fire,...scary at first to those who dont understand it but incredibly useful when you learn how to use it correctly. My dealer finally got in a few Governors and I saw the perfect chance to trade in my Taurus Public Defender on the much better built Governor. The Taurus was nice but lacked the feel and fit and finish of the S&W. There is just no denying the better build quality so I finally got rid of my last Taurus that was hanging around.:D.
SWGovernornet.jpg


A few comparisons I noticed was the weight was almost exactly the same but the S&W can shoot 6 rounds over the 5 in the Public Defender. The Gov is a bit bigger but not enough to change the carry modes I use. The tritium sight is clean, fast and effective. The new S&W grips are outstanding and I loved them on my 629 so I was thrilled they came on the Gov. Trigger pull was crisp and clean. Cylinder gap was tight and lock-up was typical S&W.

Barrelnet.jpg

Accuracy was mind blowing........... I can easily shoot 45lc Silver Tips in a 1" group at 20 yards:eek: point of aim was dead balls on and I wouldn't hesitate taking a head shot at 20 yards. I couldn't ask for more with a 6" 686. I am simple amazed. Don't be surprised if you see me take a whitetail with this next year with appropriate 45lc. Federal 000buck prints a tighter pattern in the Gov than the Judge. Think tennis ball size at 10 yards. Point of aim was the same as the 45lc so it was dead nuts perfect. I didn't get a chance to shoot 45acp with the moon clips and to be honest, the 45lc were so good, I may not ever carry it with 45acp. Overall the gun carries easy in my shoulder rig and in its Desantis leather holster. Taurus may have brought it to the market first, but S&W perfected it. It is a mean looking sidearm with the power and precision to back it up. I should have fired the Judge sooner.



Governnet.jpg


Here are some carry options I am using. DeSantis is the leader in leather holsters for the Governor and makes the S&W brand holsters you buy on the S&W site. I love a good leather shoulder holster and DeSantis makes a good one. It is called the NY Undercover specifically for the S&W Gov.
GOVshoulder.jpg

High quality leather and superb fit and finish. The Governor is not a heavy gun but I carried it for 8 hours in the woods and never felt the gun.
GovShoulder3.jpg

I was on my ATV today and totally forgot I was wearing my Gov. It has a ammo holding system that will hold 6 rounds either 45lc/45acp or shot shells or a mix of the two. I can easily conceal the Gov under a light sweat jacket without any printing.
GovShoulder1.jpg


Next is the DeSantis Scabbard hip holster.
This is a neat design because it is molded around the entire gun protecting it in the brush. It retains the gun very well without any straps in a fishmouth opening. It carries high enough for concealed carry and is molded to every curve of the gun.

DesantisHip.jpg


There are some nylon options but they are more designed for a medium size revolver. I had a few that worked but nothing beats a specifically designed high quality leather rig.
 
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Nice review:)
I am waiting for mine to be delivered to my dealer. Since I load for both the 45 acp and the 45 Colt I have a question.
Have you ever chronographed a 45 Colt? Any idea if they can be loaded a little hotter towards what a Ruger can digest?
 
Congrats on the Gov. You are in for a real treat.
I haven't chronographed my 45lc. I have been using Winchester 225 SilverTips. When I shot them into wet news paper out of my old Judge, they opened up huge with excelent penetration. I dont know if the 45lc with a good bullet needs to be loaded up in this gun. I have no doubt a honest 45lc would work for deer and woods duty. The recoil from the 45lc Silvertips were mild. I found it easily to dump a entire cylinder and keep on target. A alloy frame might be better to not go into the +p range. I think once you shoot it and see the firepower, you will know what I mean. My favorite combo is Fedral 000 buck and 45lc ST every other round. I am very surprise how tight the Federal 000 buck pattern was compared to my old Public Defender. The barrels were about the same length but the pattern was twice as tight out of the Gov. At 15 yards the pattern was the size of a softball. This would be my survival game getting round. Think of it as a 9mm 7" circle of death. Last year, I put down a hog on the farm with a Fedral 000buck from 8 feet to the back of the skull and it looked as if I hit the hog with a sledge hammer. The Gov should be devastating.
 
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Agreed. I own one and it's like going from coach (judge) to first class (Governor). Build quality is so much better in the Smith. Also it shoots a 2.5 inch shell versus the Judges 3 inch so you save a half inch just on the chamber.
I got Galco holster and you wouldn't be able to notice that I had it on me. It's molded to it like a second skin. I love your review and wished they was more comments from actual owners. Most of the nay sayers don't own one or fired one speak the loudest lol.
 
When the Governor was initially released there were a lot of naysayers even here on the S&W Forum. However most naysayers once they got a chance to actually shoot one, most changed their opinion. You made a great choice and if your marksmanship skills match your photographic skills I'm impressed.
 
Thank you,.... I am actually a much better shot than photographer..... (just kidding):D
You made a great choice and if your marksmanship skills match your photographic skills I'm impressed.



I have no doubts I could take a deer with the Gov with the appropriate 45LC at 50yards or closer. I am going to do it this upcoming fall. I am already working on the reload/bullet combo. A Hornady 250XTP bullet only needs to go 800fps to open up reliably. That is do able in the Gov.
44magdeernet-1.jpg
 
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Wish I had not read this. Now I want to go get one.

No you don't. You don't want to waste your $ on a toy that will get you laughed at by experienced shooters. What you really want to do is buy a real firearm instead.
 
It's funny when this experienced shooter can out shoot the "experienced shooter" that would dare pop off at the range with my toy gun...My consolidating comment to the closed minded would be..."think of the Gov as a nice 45lc revolver that happens to shoot 410 and 45acp shells. :D All razzing aside, its one of the most accurate revolvers of its size.


No you don't. You don't want to waste your $ on a toy that will get you laughed at by experienced shooters. What you really want to do is buy a real firearm instead.
 
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The Mystro, Great Review

This is not a firearm that I personally am interested in but to each his own.
You done a first class review of something that you use and works for you! I wish all reviews were done from this viewpoint. Thanks for including your actual experiences with the Governor.
I too share your impressions of Smith vs Taurus, I ain't knocking a taurus but in my opinion everything smith does that taurus does there is no comparison to the QUALITY feel, fit , looks, function, etc. of the Smith's
Good Luck with getting your whitetail with your Governor, there is no reason you cant do it. Please be sure and report to us here when you do.
Once again, thanks for a good read with good pics! Joey S aka 308
 
Thank you for a first-rate review accompanied by outstanding photography.

I've wanted one of these since they first came out, mostly for the versatility but also for the Governor's unparalleled ability to annoy old grumps.

I haven't even seen one in person yet - but hope springs eternal.
 
Thank you...... Guns are like tools in the toolbox for me. I was skeptical of the shotpistol when it first came out but it looked cool and wasn't expensive so I bought a Judge Public Defender and use it in the woods and around the farm and i was blow away by the versatility. The concept was great but the pistol lacked the quality and fit and finish i come to expect. These are very popular in my rural part of the country so when the Gov came out, it took a long time for me to even handle one, as soon as i did, the Taurus felt like a second class handgun in comparison. As soon as my dealer got a few Governors, i had to trade up. Much to my surprise, the Gov, exceeded the capabilities of the the shot pistol i was accustom with for he last few years. Accuracy when from good enough, to sharp shooting status. Smith and Wesson has never let me down. I try to be open minded and try other brands if they have a different take on a particular caliber but they still never get everything right like S&W does. If S&W makes it, then it is a important caliber and gun.


The Mystro, Great Review

This is not a firearm that I personally am interested in but to each his own.
You done a first class review of something that you use and works for you! I wish all reviews were done from this viewpoint. Thanks for including your actual experiences with the Governor.
I too share your impressions of Smith vs Taurus, I ain't knocking a taurus but in my opinion everything smith does that taurus does there is no comparison to the QUALITY feel, fit , looks, function, etc. of the Smith's
Good Luck with getting your whitetail with your Governor, there is no reason you cant do it. Please be sure and report to us here when you do.
Once again, thanks for a good read with good pics! Joey S aka 308
 
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I agree that when the Gov, as well as the Taurus versions came out I didn't see the need. As a police officer of 27 years now retired, I teach lots of CWP and NRA classes. After many students asked about my opinion of the concept, I bought the Gov after it came out for the classes. Glad I did. I always wanted a S&W 45ACP revolver and this gave me a multi caliber handgun. I've shot it many times and feel that for inside the home with no kids around there is no better defense handgun. I settled with the Federal Personal Defense .410 000buck. It's cheaper than the Winchester PDX and for me it patterns better. I think the 8 shot in the PDX is silly anyway. I carry it around my farm for copperheads and other vermin. I would not carry it in public for defense with buckshot, and would prefer my 1911 for a 45 ACP platform. But for what I see its purpose as it it surpasses many other handguns.
 
Excellent perspective from a man who uses the gun as a tool for farm and field and not just a plinker or range gun.

Outstanding!
 
I have a friend who owns a Governor, and he asked me if he can shoot a +P 45 long colt. Or a hot reload? I told him that I would ask you people on this great site. Can the cylinder handle the pressure? I read somewhere that you can load a 45 long colt hotter than a 44 mag. Is this true?
 
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