Just wondering. Who actually uses the Judge or Governor with shotgun shells?

[rwsmith]

I've heard a lot about 'protection against snakes'. Do people actually carry a revolver loaded with .410 shotshells into snakey areas? (Personally, I prefer to leave snakes alone unless they are a real threat) What other reasons/uses are there for a gun that shoots revolver and shotgun shells? I read that these guns are 'wildly' popular and store owners couldn't keep them on the shelves. They've been out for some years now. Is this still true.

 

[bedwards]

I've kept mine by the bed loaded with alternating 45 colt silver tips and buck shot. I've shot mine with buck shot at steel targets. Each shell has 3 000 buck .36 70 grain at 1400 fps. I would not want to be on the other end of that.
I live on the river. I keep a snake tamer for snakes in 410 stainless short barrel shotgun.

 

[Dump1567]

I wear my Judge when setting-up my targets in my shooting area. Never know if a rattler will be in the tall grass. I encountered a rattler once right where I set-up my target, so I know they're out there.

Pretty much the only thing I use it for.

 

[ZGrand]

I've had to dispatch several Copperheads (mainly with a shovel) on my property. Ordinarily I would let them alone, but we have dogs and occasional grandchildren visiting. I bought a Judge to dispatch them before I learned it was a misdemeanor to discharge any firearm in the city limits. So the only time I've used it with shotgun shells is at the range.

 

[mauser9]

Sounds awesome for snake blasting! I would take a few out in a heartbeat!

 

[LittleAugieMo]

There are some very effective p.d. loads out there for .410 revolvers. They will work.on snakes/ small game&vermin. If you want a dedicated & somewhat affordable "snake load" stick w/#4,5,6 shot jmho

 

[Bald1]

I like to squirrel hunt with my 410 barreled Encore. It reaches out there pretty good. And has a choke. I wonder what the practical range would be with the Governor. 10 yds maybe ?

 

[valkyrierdr]

My brother has a governor and keeps it next to his bed with the self-defense .410 loads in it. I carry a .38 chiefs special for self-defense and my first round is bird shot.

 

[rock doc]

My Governor has been on my nightstand since 2011. I loaded it with PDX1 Defender ammo.

 

[rwsmith]

I like to squirrel hunt with my 410 barreled Encore. It reaches out there pretty good. And has a choke. I wonder what the practical range would be with the Governor. 10 yds maybe ?

How long is the barrel on your Encore?

 

[rwsmith]

It's been on my nightstand since 2011. I loaded it with PDX1 Defender ammo.View attachment 766450

That's a new one on me. Three disks and 12 BBs?

 

[45Smashemflat]

I don’t carry it, but I have a 2.5” chambered Judge in the shop for any aggressive “nope ropes” that might wander up around the house. It’s loaded with #8s. 2.5” .410 is not a “high variety” offering around here.

It was my Dad’s. He bought a box of those hybrid disc and shot loads. I took a few to the range and found their patterns to be rather goofy. The discs went low and left, the shot went high and right. Big hole in the middle. Makes sense “ballistically” - all of the projectiles department at the same velocity, but the discs have a different drag coefficient than the shot, so they fly different trajectories. Didn’t look real useful to me.

As such, I tested plain ol’ 00 buck and got decent groups out to 10 yards. So that is what I would load it with for more social work, if it came to that.

 

[Exchipy]

The Judge and Governor revolvers seem to me overly bulky for carrying around much. And, the .410 is far more potent than is necessary to dispatch a viper. When I was “a young children,” I used to do ‘em in quite effectively with my Daisy BB gun.

During the warmer months, I regularly carry my M342, loaded with 5 Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135 +Ps:



Because the area where I live is abundant with Timber Rattlers and Copperheads, I also carry one loose round of CCI 38/357 Shot for “suiciding” those vipers occasionally encountered near the house (as it’s technically illegal here to kill a snake, I’ve been sad witness to many tragic viper suicides).

On those very rare occasions when I am actually working outside, I’ll opt for my M296, fully loaded with CCI 44SPL Shot Cartridges:

 

[Kubie]

I feel a .410 is a little overkill for snakes. I carry a .22lr or magnum with shot shells for snake taming. It worked surprisingly well on the few times I have used it.

 

[Exchipy]

Because the area where I live is abundant with Timber Rattlers and Copperheads, I also carry one loose round of CCI 38/357 Shot for “suiciding” those vipers occasionally encountered near the house (as it’s technically illegal here to kill a snake, I’ve been sad witness to many tragic viper suicides).

“Honest, Officer. That poor, desperately despondent viper overpowered me, took my gun and blowed his own head clean off with it by triggering the shot with his tail. Worst case of suicide I ever seen.”

 

[jack the toad]

Because the area where I live is abundant with Timber Rattlers and Copperheads, I also carry one loose round of CCI 38/357 Shot for “suiciding” those vipers occasionally encountered near the house (as it’s technically illegal here to kill a snake, I’ve been sad witness to many tragic viper suicides).

Not to hijack, but is that a state law?
ETA:
Non-venomous get a bye from me but copperheaded rattle moccasins, in particular if nearby where kids/gkids, etc roam aren't as fortunate.

 

[URIT]

I keep my Gov loaded with alternating .410 and .45 LC locked in a Hornady Rapid-safe in my MBR. It supports my EDC on the nightstand just in case someone is foolish enough to kick in our locked and barred MBR door.

Seven yards or less is the best distance for the .410 rounds out of my Governor.

I've had to fish a few copperheads out of the pool, but they keep the rodent population down so I don't kill them if I can relocate them.

 

[Exchipy]

Not to hijack, but is that a state law?
ETA:
Non-venomous get a bye from me but copperheaded rattle moccasins, in particular if nearby where kids/gkids, etc roam aren't as fortunate.

Ya, and in at least one other state as well. It’s not widely known, though it can sometimes be found buried in fish and game department handout materials, if you look very carefully. But, it’s still best to keep such activities to yourself.

So, posting a photo of yourself holding a dead viper, providing your true name, date of birth, residence address, and the date, time, exact location, and details of how you killed it, would certainly not be a good idea.

 

[Bald1]

How long is the barrel on your Encore?

I’d have to double check but I believe 12”. Ventilated Rib. It’s a hoot shooting trap as well. From a backyard spring operated thrower. Not an actual range

 

[Law-dog]

I've kept mine by the bed loaded with alternating 45 colt silver tips and buck shot. I've shot mine with buck shot at steel targets. Each shell has 3 000 buck .36 70 grain at 1400 fps. I would not want to be on the other end of that.
I live on the river. I keep a snake tamer for snakes in 410 stainless short barrel shotgun.

There is a problem with your post. No factory 410 shell is shooting 1,400 fps out of a Governor, chrono them. The most highly rated are the Federal 2.5 inch loaded with four (4) 000 buck. The leave the short Governor barrel around 800 fps, while they leave a 28 inch barrel closer to the 1,400 fps you mentioned. In reality those four 70 grain bullets are making 4 holes but with a total foot pounds of energy about the same as a traditional 45 acp. About 350-375 fpe.

That said, the Governor is an aluminum gun, with about 3% scandium added for strength which makes it 29.5 ounces, much less than a model 10 which weighs about 34 ounces. And that big gun fits well inside the him pocket of my blue jeans, if i am just walking the creek behind my house. A Safariland holster is better for hiking or whatever.

I live 60 feet from a flowing creek that feeds into a major river 2 miles away, I get lots of snakes, skunks, and critters, including bobcats, coyotes etc. I only kill skunks and some snakes. I have killed 2 so far this year and relocated one large rat snake, they eat rats and mice, I like that. I actually stuck him inside a gopher hole, he will run them off for a while.

As to carrying the Governor. I use moon clips for the 45 acp. It is just like the model 25, shoots and reloads fast. With the 45 Colt it is more than accurate at 25 yards, a perfect self defense round. With 7.5 inch birdshot, you do not worry about the big rattlers continuing their movement, and a big made on will. I have killed many with 22 and 22 mag shot, it is not very effective on big ones. 38 is fine, but always carry 2 or 3 just in case one does not work or you miss.

The 410 shreds them and especially is better in water if you are fishing. I have been in the water with moccasins, they are aggressive and will come after you, there is no room for error. Unless you have been in the water with them, your opinion, is not of much value.

That said, the Governor is not a first choice unless I am intentionally going to snake areas. Then I carry two 410s, 2 buck shot and 2 45 Colt. And 45 acp on moon clips in the pocket, I carry Golden Sabre Plus P. They work very well.

I have no experience with the Judge but suspect it is much the same.