GOVERNOR VS TAURUS PUBLIC DEFENDER

[spartan59]

All,

I've been eyeing up a Governor for the past few months, only thing that has held me up is the $700 + OTD price point. I'm seeing the Public defender out there at half the price. Any opinions or input on these 2 would be greatly appreciated.

It would be great to have a revolver that eats 45 and .410. Traveling business guy that goes to some pretty hairy areas at times.

Thanks in Advance.

 

[sigp220.45]

I know I would prefer the Governor, just on the basis of overall quality, plus the ability to shoot .45 ACP as well.

 

[mjb99]

If you do some searching on the topic of these new .410 revolvers, you may find they really are not all they are cracked up to be. I would personally prefer a good used model 10 and a fair amount of practice - smaller, more user friendly, and probably a more effective package overall, for a lot less money.

 

[GKC]

I've owned both, and for this style gun, my recommendation would definitely be the Governor. For one thing, the Governor gives you the ability to choose three different calibers versus two, as well as having a 6 round cylinder versus 5 rounds, with the Defender (unless Taurus has changed their gun since I last owned one.) Then you have S&W's much better QC and CS.

I wouldn't opt for either one as a carry gun...they have limited effectiveness as a home defense gun, as well. Up close (very close) the .410 (in the personal defense loads) should be awesome, but that effective range drops off quickly. You do have the option of loading it with .45 ACP or .45 LC, but there are also other guns that you can use those rounds in, and would be (IMO) better choices.

 

[Rule3]

Is this a trick question? On the SW forum?

The Governor costs more because it is a much better made gun (not just saying that due to this forum) Just by picking them both up feel the trigger, look it over.

Warranty if you need it, you pay to ship gun to Taurus with SW you do not.

I really do not care for either gun but as far as 410 for defense the 250 gr, 45 Colt is far better So would a 230 gr 45 ACP HP.

You say "eats 45" Have you priced 45 Colt ammo? Unless you reload you are in for sticker shock. At least 45 ACP is a little less and more common but you then need moon clips and a tool.

Suppose there is not much wrong with the Judge they sold enough of them but I think it was hype of the 410 and the magic loads they have for it now.

 

[Will Carry]

"'ellow Guvna!" I can think of several pistols I would select over a .410/45LC. Yet everyone who I have ever known who actually owns one, loves it! If you can shoot a Governor well then I would pick that one. It will shoot 45acp on full moon or half moon clips. I have a problem with Tuarus, they tend to have varying quality, some good some bad.

 

[msinc]

Here is one more reason to reconsider a Governor...MIL bought one about a year ago. It would fire about every other time you pulled the trigger. The misfires appeared to have a light primer strike. I noticed when you tip the gun up or down you could both feel and hear the unfired shells moving back and forth in the chambers. A headspace gauge revealed severe excessive headspace so I e-mailed S&W on their website for warranty service. I received the package to send it back and enclosed a letter they said to describe the specific problem. They returned it with a longer firing pin!!!!!! That's it????? S&W's remedy or fix {rig is more like it!!} for excess headspace to the point the gun will not reliably fire was to install a longer firing pin!!!!! It still wasnt 100% reliable to fire and was returned to the dealer for a refund. Lucky for her the dealer at the LGS was a standup guy. S&W sure is not. Even when I called back the jacka$$ I talked to said "we are satisfied the gun is fixed" and hung up!!!

 

[mjr]

The Governor or its Taurus competitor might be a useful sidearm if you enter the great Florida python hunt, but even then a single-action Ruger in .45 Colt loaded with home-rolled shot loads would be superior. As a "fun gun"--fun for a few days, anyway--one of those .410 revolvers might be, well, fun, but as a working gun for most any purpose there are much better choices.

 

[Donn]

The question I always ask people considering either one of these. If you were looking for a HD shotgun, would it be a 410? Both the Gov and Judge are cumbersome, hard to conceal and performance is adequate at best. Why choose a gun that shoots three rounds OK instead of one that shoots one round with precision. As others have posted, there are better choices.

 

[spartan59]

Gents

all excellent posts and input, thank you so much ! Donn your post really resonated with me. Answer to your question, 12 gauge, .410 wouldn't even be a thought.

Following that line of reasoning, I'm going to stick with .357 and .45 ACP's which are my preferred calibers for sidearms. Having to deal with moon clips for ACP on the Governor just doesn't seem practical. Looks like I'll be going the Springfield 1911 route.

Thanks much Guys !